Arsenal went undefeated in their 2003/04 league campaign and were referred to as The Invincibles. They lost in both cup competitions so the term was not strictly correct. However, no team in England has ever won all three domestic competitions and remained undefeated in the league.
So, the word to describe such a performance does not exist in England. In Arsenal’s case, the word was not to be taken literally but was simply meant to signify a great team and performance. It might be used again this season should Man City add the English Premier League and the Champions League to their Carabao Cup win. Interestingly, Man City are showing a bit of class and that word has never been uttered by them.
During Brendan Rodgers first season, Celtic were undefeated in the league and won the League and Scottish Cups. They were also described as The Invincibles. In our case, the use of the word was strictly correct. That feat had never been done before in Scotland and coincided with a run of 69 games undefeated in domestic football. As with Arsenal, the term was also used to signify a great team and performance.
If that lot remain undefeated in the league will they too be The Invincibles? If it does happen, you know that club, the blue top papers and the BBC will use the word whenever they can. It will be added to the lexicon of words when the game of bull dung bingo is played. Other words which regularly feature in this game include Gerrard, champions and Morelos; double points if they are preceded by the words, world beating. If they can spin a lie about the 55, proclaiming themselves Invincibles is just more blue fake news.
Should we be concerned? No, we should be flattered because they are simply trying imitate us, again! We have a star on our strip to signify European Cup success, they have never won it but decided to have 5 stars. They have never gone through a season undefeated since they were founded but will hijack the word Invincible, if they go through the league undefeated. What do you expect from a club totally lacking any class? They can imitate us in name but not deed.
“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness”. Oscar Fingal O’Flahertie Wills Wilde.
Anyway, let’s hope the above is just words and we can shut down the argument on the pitch on Sunday. COYBIG.
Chris Wotherspoon
