49 Unbeaten: Player of the Run.

Quack Handle · 10-27-2004, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Kolo Toure

Arsenal.com editor Richard Clarke attended nearly all of the 49-game unbeaten run. Over the next few days, he'll give his personal opinion on the Game of the Run, The Goal of the Run and the Nearest Arsenal came to Defeat. But he kicks off with the Player of the Run.

For me, the outstanding player of the 49-game unbeaten run was Kolo Toure. If you snapped back by saying: "No way it's got to be Henry / Campbell / Cole / Vieira" then you would get no argument here. That quartet have been simply outstanding. But then when are they not?

Perhaps their contribution is so consistently high that excellence is their standard. Toure's achievements are different. Remember when he joined Campbell at centre back for the start of last season, it was a bit of a gamble. The Ivory Coast international had started just nine Premiership games and none of them at the position into which he would settle. Right back, left back, right midfield, he had roamed around the lot.

In the end it was the frantic final stages in the FA Cup sixth round replay at Stamford Bridge that first alerted ArsÃ¨ne Wenger to Toure's new role. Pascal Cygan's dismissal meant a re-organisation. The manager had little option to push back Toure. But just six days past his 22nd birthday, he remained calm amid the tumult and strong against the Blue tide sweeping toward him.

Toure is not the tallest centre back but is rarely beaten in air. His strength, pace, enthusiasm and determination also count in his favour. Yet that is not where he has really excelled for me.

Centre back is a position where experience counts. You are the keystone of the team's formation, the base of its spine and the last line of defence. No matter how good a coach ArsÃ¨ne Wenger may be, he cannot teach experience. Toure has had to learn his position while playing there. There have been no let-offs and no let-up.

He has started 47 of the 49 games and was substituted only once. That came after 20 minutes of the 1-1 draw at Everton on January 7. The foot injury he picked up that day meant he missed his only game of the run - at home to Middlesbrough - and in the match after that racked up his only substitute's appearances.

Aside from that Toure has played every minute of every game and has been part of an Arsenal defence that has conceded fewer goals than any since Dixon-Adams-Keown-Winterburn prowled the Premiership.

If Toure can match their miserly nature over the next few years then he'll surely help the Club to many more trophies. Greatness is not guaranteed for Toure but his performances during the 49-game unbeaten run suggest it is just around the corner.

-arsenal.com

I'd definitely have to agree with all of that.

Dr. Giganto · 10-27-2004, 10:45 AM

I have a question about the streak: it includes ties/draws, right? If so, what has the overall record been during the streak?

The Phantom · 10-27-2004, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mister D

I have a question about the streak: it includes ties/draws, right? If so, what has the overall record been during the streak?

Yeah the streak did involve draws, here's their stats for the 49 unbeaten Premiership games:

Played 49
Lost 0
Won 36
Drew 13
Goals Scored 112
Goals against 35.

Leading Scorers :

Henry 39 Goals
Pires 22 Goals
Ljungberg 10 Goals

Leading Apperances

Thierry Henry 48
Kolo Toure 48
Jens Lehmann 47
Robert Pires 45

I'd say Kolo was probably the best player during the run, he came from no where to being a regular in the arsenal first team. Also the stats speak for themselfs only conseding 35 goals means the defence played a big part in their run.

Danny Diamond · 10-27-2004, 01:13 PM

Thats still pretty impressive.

Quack Handle · 10-27-2004, 01:52 PM

It's more than pretty impressive. It won't ever be repeated, unless this team can go on another run. They did go 30 games unbeaten before beginning this new record.

Quote:

To celebrate Arsenal's record-breaking unbeaten run, we've put together a picture special which sums up the Club's fantastic achievement.

We kicked off this feature yesterday with two highlights from the 49-game streak. You can enjoy two more pictures today with more to come later this week.

November 8, 2003... Despite dominating possession, Arsenal found themselves behind against Tottenham with 21 minutes left - the latest they trailed in any game during the unbeaten run. Robert Pires eased Highbury frustrations with the equaliser before Freddie Ljungberg's deflected shot looped over Kasey Keller for the winner

April 9, 2004... One of the closest shaves from the record-breaking run. Cup defeats at the hands of Manchester United and Chelsea left Arsenal looking vulnerable as they prepared for their fourth game in eight days. Twice Liverpool led at Highbury but the Gunners dug deep to win 4-2, with Henry's individual effort the highlight of a stirring comeback

Dr. Giganto · 10-27-2004, 01:59 PM

The New England Patriots would have to more than double their current streak (21 games, including the playoffs, 18 if you only count the regular season) to match that. Thats really impresive

Quack Handle · 10-27-2004, 02:14 PM

It's just such a fucking shame, that the record ended as it did, with fucking Man United cheating their way through the match to win. Ferdinand should of been sent off, Gary Neville and Phil Neville sent off, Van Horsey sent off, Rooney dived, was NOT a penalty. Horrible day for football.

Dr. Giganto · 10-27-2004, 02:21 PM

it's over?

Damn...when did they lose?

The Phantom · 10-27-2004, 03:20 PM

last sunday as indicated in my sig

Dr. Giganto · 10-27-2004, 03:27 PM

oh...i cant see peoples sigs

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49 Unbeaten: Player of the Run.

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