Aulanews.id – Each week, we’ll reminisce about our incredible Invincible season 20 years on by looking back at what was going on at the club on and off the pitch, as well as remembering key news stories and the pop culture buzz at the time.
Last week, we demolished Middlesbrough 4-1 to cut the gap at the top of the table to a single point, and a trip to Aston Villa would give us a break from Boro who we were set to play twice more in successive cup matches.
Setting the scene
The day before we took to the field at Villa Park, Manchester United gave us a massive boost when they suffered a shock 1-0 defeat at bottom-placed Wolves, opening the door for us to advance into pole position in the Premier League.
A draw against Villa would be enough to do so, but our opponents had found some form in the preceding weeks. They had lost just once in eight matches after a slow start to the campaign, in what was Gunners legend David O’Leary’s first season in charge of the Birmingham side.
Wenger’s words
Around this time, Arsene Wenger was asked what rules he would change in the game. “You would like more justice and that means video replay coming in – especially for goals,” he predicted. “If the referee has a doubt in his mind, he can say let’s see it again and then you have a super referee in the stand who can watch it and say yes or no.
“It would give more credibility to the referee. What happens now is the referee gives a decision and the whole world can see it’s the wrong one, and then he loses credibility.
“I would also like to see kick-ins instead of throw-ins. The throw-in is the only rule where you are supposed to have an advantage but you have one less player on the pitch. The ball is for you but you are down to 10 men and the opponent has 11. I think you have to give a better advantage to the team taking the throw.”
From the dressing room
Having been given an earlier-than-expected taste of life as a Premier League player, 18-year-Gael Clichy was thrilled. “I thought that my first season here would be one where I learnt to adapt,” he said. “So to have the chance to play and to show what I could do was brilliant.
“Ashley’s suspension gave me the chance to show what I could do and also what progress I need to make. With each match, I feel I have become a more confident, better player.
“I feel that my best position is the left side of midfield. When I play there I feel good because it allows me to push forward and play more offensively. I feel more liberated there.”
