Where are the Invincibles now?

Image: Arsenal went unbeaten in their victorious 2003/04 Premier League season

To celebrate Sky Sports' 25th birthday, we’re looking back at some of the most memorable moments from the last quarter of a century and here we remember the Invincibles...

Robert Pires might have announced his retirement, but where are the rest of the Arsenal Invincibles now, nearly 12 years on?

While the current Arsenal team have seen their Premier League title push stutter recently, the triumph of the club's class of 2003/04 will forever be inscribed in the history books.   

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Arsene Wenger's side - packed with star names such as Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira and Dennis Bergkamp - went undefeated throughout the entire season on their charge to the title. 

Four regulars in the Invincibles side are still playing, three have entered the world of coaching, while others have gone into different careers such as media, business and even politics.

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Here's where those Arsenal heroes are now... 

Jens Lehmann

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Image: Jens Lehmann works as a TV pundit

After leaving Arsenal in 2008 for Stuttgart, Lehmann returned to London on a short-term basis in 2011. He played one game, a 3-1 win at Blackpool, in what would be the final competitive appearance of his career.

Lehmann can now be found working as a television pundit in Germany.

Ashley Cole

Image: Ashley Cole is now at LA Galaxy

Cole controversially left Arsenal for London rivals Chelsea in 2006 but went on to win another league title as well as four FA Cups, a League Cup, the Champions League and the Europa League.

When Cole's contract ended at Stamford Bridge he moved to Roma but, after a disappointing two-year spell in Serie A, the left-back moved to LA Galaxy for the 2016 MLS season.

Sol Campbell

Image: Sol Campbell has recently turned his hand to politics

Having departed Arsenal in 2006 for Portsmouth, where he won the 2008 FA Cup, Campbell made a notorious, solitary appearance for Notts County before returning to Arsenal in January 2010.

He played 14 more games for Arsene Wenger's team prior to joining Newcastle United in 2010/11 for what would be the last campaign of his playing career.

During his retirement, Campbell has worked for the Conservative Party as an advisor and failed to make the shortlist for the election of London mayor.

Kolo Toure

Image: Kolo Toure forged a formidable partnership with Sol Campbell

Toure is one of several players to have left Arsenal for Manchester City, making his move in 2009. The Ivory Coast international then joined Liverpool at the beginning of the 2013/14 season but has had to make do with a fringe role.

Lauren

Image: Lauren spent six years at Arsenal

Lauren signed for Portsmouth in 2006, like Campbell, and also won the FA Cup.

He ended his career with Spanish club Cordoba and now makes appearances as a TV pundit, including on Sky Sports' Spanish football coverage on occasion.

Robert Pires

Image: Robert Pires played for Arsenal for six seasons

Pires left Arsenal in 2006 for Villarreal and went on to face his old side in the Champions League in 2009.

Pires returned to England with Aston Villa for the 2010/11 season and became a star attraction of the inaugural Indian Super League as a marquee player with FC Goa. He was released by the club in March 2015 and on February 25, 2016, he announced his retirement.

Patrick Vieira

Image: Patrick Vieira played a crucial role for Arsenal during 'the Invincibles' season

The captain of the Invincibles left Arsenal in 2005 for Juventus, where he won Serie A - although the title was later revoked due to the Italian match-fixing scandal.

During his season at Juventus, Vieira played and lost against Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-finals. He moved to Inter Milan after Juventus were relegated as punishment for the match-fixing scandal before ending his career with Manchester City in 2011.

After being the head of City's Elite Development Squad, Vieira is now the head coach of Major League Soccer side New York City FC, where he's managing the likes of Frank Lampard, Andrea Pirlo and David Villa.

Gilberto Silva

Image: Gilberto Silva still remains involved with football

Perhaps an unsung hero of the Invincibles, Silva left Arsenal in 2008 after winning the Premier League and two FA Cups during his six years at the club. The 2002 World Cup winner went on to make more than 70 appearances for Panathinaikos before returning to his native Brazil with Gremio in 2011.

Gilberto, who was training back at Arsenal in January 2014, was most recently at his boyhood club, Atletico Mineiro, who he helped win the prestigious 2013 Copa Libertadores.

In December 2015, after two years without a club, Silva officially announced his retirement and is looking to pursue a career as an international consultant for players and clubs.

Freddie Ljungberg

Image: Arsenal's Freddie Ljungberg is back with the club training to be a coach

After departing Arsenal for a season at West Ham United in 2007, Ljungberg went off the radar and would go on to spells at Seattle Sounders and Chicago Fire before returning to Europe with a short stint at Celtic in 2011.

Japanese club Shimizu S-Pulse would be the Swede's next port of call but, after taking up a contract with Mumbai City in the Indian Super League, a back problem forced Ljungberg to cancel his deal and return to London.

In January 2016 Ljungberg was back at Arsenal coaching their under 15s academy side as part of his training for his UEFA coaching badges.

Thierry Henry

Image: Thierry Henry works as a pundit for Sky Sports

Arsenal's all-time record goalscorer left the club in 2007 when he signed for Barcelona and went on to win the treble with the Spanish giants in 2009. A move to the MLS with New York Red Bulls followed in 2010 before a nostalgic loan return to Arsenal in 2012.

After finishing his career at New York Red Bulls at the end of the 2014 season, Henry has been working as a pundit for Sky Sports.

Dennis Bergkamp

Image: Dennis Bergkamp is the assistant manager of hometown club Ajax

Like Henry, Bergkamp has been honoured for his contributions to Arsenal with a statue outside Emirates Stadium. The Dutchman's final involvement for the club was their Champions League final defeat by Barcelona in 2006, when he remained an unused substitute - but that should not overshadow more than a decade's wonderful service.

Bergkamp is now at boyhood club Ajax and making a successful job of the role of assistant manager to Frank de Boer, a position he has held since 2011.

Best of the rest

Edu

Edu made 17 league appearances as a substitute in 2003/04, more than any other Arsenal player, before leaving in 2005. Now a member of the hierarchy at his former club Corinthians. 

Ray Parlour

Made 25 league appearances, including substitutions, in 2003/04, his final season at Arsenal. Now a media pundit making regular appearances on Sky Sports.

Sylvain Wiltord

Scored three goals in the 2003/04 league but made only a total of eight starts in his final season at Arsenal. Now an ambassador for the French version of FootGolf.

Jose Antonio Reyes

Netted two goals in 13 league appearances in 2003/04, having joined in the January. Now still playing with Sevilla in Spain.

Pascal Cygan

Ten starts in the 2003/04 season for a centre-back who developed a slight cult following. Retired in 2011 at the age of 37.

Gael Clichy

Yet another of the Invincibles who can now list Manchester City on his CV, where he's become a squad player. Clichy made 12 league appearances in the 2003/04 season, with seven of those games coming as starts. 

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