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2002–03 Arsenal F.C. season

The 2002–03 season was Arsenal Football Club's 11th season in the Premier League and their 77th consecutive season in the top flight of English football.[1][2] The club retained the FA Cup, a feat last achieved by Tottenham Hotspur in 1982, but finished runners-up to Manchester United in the Premier League. In the UEFA Champions League, defeat to Valencia in the second group stage meant Arsenal exited the competition at the same round for the second successive year.

Arsenal
2002–03 season
ChairmanPeter Hill-Wood
ManagerArsène Wenger
StadiumHighbury
Premier League2nd
FA CupWinners
League CupThird round
FA Community ShieldWinners
UEFA Champions LeagueSecond group stage
Top goalscorerLeague: Thierry Henry (24)
All: Thierry Henry (32)
Highest home attendance38,164 vs Manchester United
(16 April 2003)
Lowest home attendance19,059 vs Sunderland
(6 November 2002)
Average home league attendance38,041

Arsenal began the new campaign as league and cup double winners, and manager Arsène Wenger sought improvement in the Champions League, a competition the club failed in. The retirement of defender Tony Adams meant French midfielder Patrick Vieira was appointed as captain; Pascal Cygan was signed as a replacement in defence. Other recruitments included defensive midfielders Gilberto Silva and Kolo Touré, while goalkeepers Alex Manninger and Richard Wright departed to join Espanyol and Everton respectively.

In the league, a 4–1 win against Leeds United in September meant the club broke the record for scoring in consecutive games (47), and away league games without defeat (22). The club began 2003 in first position, but subsequently floundered; a draw to Aston Villa in April allowed Manchester United to move joint top. A further draw at Bolton Wanderers meant the league championship was, mathematically, out of Arsenal's hands and defeat to Leeds a week after ended their chances of retaining the league. Consolation came in retaining the FA Cup; a solitary goal scored by midfielder Robert Pires was enough to beat Southampton in the 2003 final.

30 different players represented the club in five competitions and there were 17 different goalscorers. Arsenal's top goalscorer was Thierry Henry, who scored 32 goals in 55 appearances.

Background

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See also: 2001–02 Arsenal F.C. season

Arsenal began the 2001–02 season in good form and a win against Liverpool in December 2001 – having gone down to ten men in the first half, helped them move second in the table.[3] A draw against Southampton on 2 February 2002 started a run of 13 consecutive league wins – a new record, beginning against Everton.[4] Arsenal won the league away to Manchester United at Old Trafford on 8 May 2002; the winning goal was scored by Sylvain Wiltord in the second half.[5] The result meant the team were unbeaten away from home all season, and in scoring four goals against Everton on the final day, became the first team to score in every league match they played.[6] Arsenal completed the double, having beaten Chelsea 2–0 in the 2002 FA Cup Final.

Wenger hoped his team's success would begin an era of dominating English football for years to come, citing a "shift of power".[7] He moreover aimed for significant improvement in the Champions League, a competition where the club failed to reach higher than the quarter-finals.[8] Such was Arsenal's impressive form in late summer, Wenger commented that his team could go the entire season undefeated.[a]

Arsenal's kit sponsorship with O2 came into action in the 2002–03 season, replacing SEGA Dreamcast.[10]

Transfers

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Wenger appointed midfielder Patrick Vieira as captain after Tony Adams announced his retirement from football.[11] Defender Lee Dixon left the club after 14 years, retiring at the age of 38.[12] Arsenal did not spend big in the transfer market unlike their rivals and only made subtle additions to the squad: World Cup winner Gilberto Silva and defender Pascal Cygan. English duo Martin Keown and goalkeeper David Seaman extended their stay at the club for two and one more years respectively.

In the January transfer window, defender Matthew Upson was sold to Birmingham City and midfielder Steve Sidwell joined Reading on an undisclosed fee.[13] Goalkeeper Guillaume Warmuz signed a short-term contract with Arsenal, as cover for Seaman, Stuart Taylor and Rami Shaaban.[13]

In

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No. Position Player Transferred from Fee Date Ref
18 DF France  Pascal Cygan France  Lille £2,100,000 11 July 2002 [14]
19 MF Brazil  Gilberto Silva Brazil  Atlético Mineiro £4,500,000 7 August 2002 [15]
24 GK Sweden  Rami Shaaban Sweden  Djurgården Undisclosed 30 August 2002 [16]
20 GK France  Guillaume Warmuz France  Lens Undisclosed 31 January 2003 [17]

Out

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No. Position Player Transferred to Fee Date Ref
2 DF England  Lee Dixon Retired 1 July 2002 [12]
6 DF England  Tony Adams Retired 1 July 2002 [18]
37 FW England  Carlin Itonga Released 1 July 2002 [19]
13 GK Austria  Alex Manninger Spain  Espanyol £960,000 4 July 2002 [20]
40 MF England  Rohan Ricketts England  Tottenham Hotspur F.C. Free transfer 13 July 2002 [21]
24 GK England  Richard Wright England  Everton £3,500,000 24 July 2002 [22]
45 MF England  Steve Sidwell England  Reading Undisclosed 20 January 2003 [23]
20 DF England  Matthew Upson England  Birmingham City £2,500,000 22 January 2003 [24]

Pre-season

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To prepare for the upcoming season Arsenal played a number of friendlies. On 17 June, they played Stevenage for Paul Fairclough's managerial testimonial, then travelled abroad to play Austrian teams Neuberg, and Rapid Wien, before competing in the Tri-team pre-season tournament, also in Austria, winning matches against both Panathinaikos and Roma. Their last match in Austria consisted of a strong 3–1 win against 1860 Munich, before travelling to Belgium to play Beveren, and eventually back to England, beating Barnet in their final pre-season game.

17 July 2002 (2002-07-17) Paul Fairclough Testimonial Stevenage Borough 1–6 Arsenal Stevenage
20:00 BST Trott   40' Report Juan   27'
Edu   57'
Chilvers   68'
Brown   75'
Paulinho   82'
Barrett   83'		 Stadium: Broadhall Way
26 July 2002 (2002-07-26) Friendly SV Neuberg Austria  2–8 England  Arsenal Oberwart
19:00 CEST Zilić   ?', ?' Report Aliadière   ?', ?'
Bergkamp  
Edu  
Henry   ?', ?'
Wiltord  
Tavlaridis  		 Stadium: Oberwart Stadium
Attendance: 3,500[25] or 5,000[26]
27 July 2002 (2002-07-27) Friendly Rapid Wien Austria  0–0 England  Arsenal Eisenstadt
20:00 CEST Report Stadium: Linden Stadium
1 August 2002 (2002-08-01) Tri-team pre-Season Tournament Arsenal England  1–0 Greece  Panathinaikos Kapfenberg
19:00 CEST Wiltord   28' Report Stadium: Franz Fekete Stadium
1 August 2002 (2002-08-01) Tri-team pre-Season Tournament Arsenal England  2–1 Italy  Roma Kapfenberg
21:00 CEST Henry   4'
Aliadière   44'		 Report Batistuta   17' Stadium: Franz Fekete Stadium
3 August 2002 (2002-08-03) Friendly 1860 Munich Germany  1–3 England  Arsenal Innsbruck
19:30 CEST Agostino   67' Report Henry   44', 83', 88'
4 August 2002 (2002-08-04) Friendly Beveren Belgium  1–1 England  Arsenal Beveren
19:30 CEST Wostijn   55' Report Barrett   66'
6 August 2002 (2002-08-06) Friendly Barnet 1–2 Arsenal Barnet
19:45 BST Arber   60' Report Kanu   22'
Upson   80'		 Stadium: Underhill Stadium

Mid-Season Friendlies

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During the season, Arsenal played a number of friendlies at their training ground in London Colney. The dates and details of these matches are displayed below.

11 September 2002 (2002-09-11) Friendly Arsenal 3–0 Reading London Colney
Cygan   25'
Sidwell   73'
Juan   88' (pen.)		 Report Stadium: Arsenal Training Centre
15 October 2002 (2002-10-15) Friendly Arsenal 5–1 Queens Park Rangers London Colney
11:00 BST Noble   49'
Pires   60'
Tavlaridis   73'
Bentley   80'
Edu   90'		 Report Doudou   17' Stadium: Arsenal Training Centre
3 December 2002 (2002-12-03) Friendly Arsenal 3–0 Millwall London Colney
Kanu   61' (pen.), 74'
Jeffers   63'		 Report Stadium: Arsenal Training Centre
14 January 2003 (2003-01-14) Friendly Arsenal 2–0 Luton Town London Colney
Jeffers   19', 52' Report Stadium: Arsenal Training Centre

FA Community Shield

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Main article: 2002 FA Community Shield

As Premier League and FA Cup winners, Arsenal contested the 2002 FA Community Shield against league runners-up Liverpool. Gilberto, making his debut for Arsenal in the second half as a substitute, scored the winning goal, in a match where the team missed numerous chances.[27]

11 August 2002 (2002-08-11) Final Arsenal 1–0 Liverpool Cardiff
14:00 BST Gilberto Silva   68' Report Stadium: Millennium Stadium
Attendance: 67,337
Referee: Alan Wiley

Premier League

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Main article: 2002–03 FA Premier League

A total of 20 teams competed in the Premier League in the 2002–03 season. Each team played 38 matches; two against every other team and one match at each club's stadium. Three points were awarded for each win, one point per draw, and none for defeats. At the end of the season the top two teams qualified for the group stages of the UEFA Champions League; teams in third and fourth needed to play a qualifier.[28]

August–October

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"We're all fighting for second place now. It was demoralising. They just pass and move, pass and move. You find yourself working for nothing."

—Leeds midfielder Olivier Dacourt, 28 September 2002[29]

Arsenal began the season with a 2–0 home victory against promoted Birmingham City; goals from Thierry Henry and Sylvain Wiltord extended the club's winning run to fourteen matches – a new top-flight record.[30] A late equaliser by Wiltord in their next match at West Ham United earned Arsenal a point, having trailed 2–0 in the first half.[31] Three days later, a 5–2 win against West Bromwich Albion moved Arsenal to the top of the league table.[32] Although they drew to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, having lost captain Vieira through a sending-off,[33] a win against Manchester City meant Arsenal leapfrogged local rivals Tottenham Hotspur to first position.[34] A 3–0 win at Charlton Athletic on 15 September 2002 pleased Wenger, who indicated after the match the league was theirs to lose: "We know we can win the league. We know we can be stronger. At this stage last season we were not as good as we are now."[35] Striker Kanu scored a stoppage time winner against Bolton Wanderers to win their eleventh successive home game.[36]

At Elland Road, Leeds United hosted Arsenal on 28 September 2002. Goals from Kolo Touré and Henry and a brace from Kanu ensured Arsenal eclipsed Nottingham Forest's record of 22 away league games without defeat[37] and scored in 47 consecutive league matches, breaking Chesterfield Town's achievement.[38] Wenger hailed the performance as "edging nearer to perfection",[39] adding it evoked memories of the Ajax team in the 1970s: "We are playing great, 'Total Football'. Danger comes from everywhere."[40] Leeds manager Terry Venables agreed: "Manchester United have been exceptional for 10 years – but I've not seen anything as good as that."[37]

Arsenal started October with a 3–1 win against Sunderland, breaking Manchester United's Premier League record of 30 matches unbeaten.[41] They however suffered their first defeat of the season, against Everton; teenager Wayne Rooney scored from long range in the last minute of the match.[42] Wenger used his post-match press conference to praise the striker: "At that age, Rooney is already a complete footballer. The guy can play. He's the best English under-20 I've seen since I came here [in 1996]."[43] In spite of dominating their next match against Blackburn Rovers – "27 goal attempts, 14 on target,"[44] Arsenal were beaten 2–1; the winning goal was scored by Dwight Yorke in the second half.[44] It was the team's third consecutive defeat in all competitions, their worst run since November 2000, and moved league leaders Liverpool four points clear at the top of the table.[44]

November–February

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A Steve Marlet own goal gave Arsenal a much-needed 1–0 win against Fulham, ceasing their run of four defeats on 3 November 2002.[45] Another 1–0 win, this time against Newcastle United moved Arsenal one point behind leaders Liverpool.[46] Vieira's performance in particular was plauded in The Guardian as a "demonstration of tackling, control, awareness and movement that was exceptional even by his standards."[47] In the North London derby on 16 November 2002, Arsenal beat Tottenham Hotpsur 3–0 to go back at the top of the league table.[48] The opening goal, scored by Henry was later voted the Goal of the Season by viewers of ITV's The Premiership,[49] having picked up the ball from Arsenal's side of the pitch and running past the opposition defence to shoot past goalkeeper Kasey Keller.[50] At St Mary's Stadium, Arsenal lost 3–2 to Southampton; striker James Beattie scored twice against an Arsenal defence, who conceded three goals in total for the first time since May 2001.[51] Defender Sol Campbell had been sent off in the match, and was suspended for a further game, against Manchester United. Arsenal ended the month with a 3–1 victory over visitors Aston Villa; midfielder Robert Pires scoring for the second successive league match and Henry adding a further two goals.[52]

Arsenal faced Manchester United at Old Trafford on 7 December 2002; the home team had beaten title challengers Liverpool the previous weekend. Manchester United opened the scoring in the 21st minute – a poor clearance by Cygan allowed Juan Sebastián Verón to score.[53] Arsenal goalkeeper Rami Shaaban was substituted before the start of the second half, having pulled a thigh muscle.[53] He was replaced by Stuart Taylor, who was helpless to prevent Paul Scholes from scoring a second goal, 15 minutes before the final whistle.[53] A 1–1 draw at Tottenham Hotspur[54] was followed by a win against Middlesbrough; a goal apiece from Campbell and Pires meant Arsenal were top of the table on Christmas.[55] On Boxing Day, Arsenal came from a goal down to beat West Brom 2–1; in doing so, they extended their lead at the top to four points.[56] Three days later, Arsenal's lead was increased to five points, having drawn with Liverpool.[57]

In spite of conceding two late goals against Chelsea, Arsenal won by a solitary goal on New Year's Day to maintain their lead.[58] Two goals from Henry against Birmingham City took his total for the club to 100 goals in all competitions;[59] Wenger declared the display – a 4–0 win, as his team's best since beating Leeds United in September.[60] Henry scored a hat-trick for Arsenal against West Ham United on 19 January 2003[61] but the team drew at Liverpool in spite of a polished performance; Emile Heskey headered the ball into the net, scoring for the home team after 90 minutes.[62] On 1 February 2003, Pires scored a late goal against Fulham, extending Arsenal's lead to six points at the top.[63] This was followed by a 1–1 draw against Newcastle United; manager Sir Bobby Robson after the game criticised referee Neale Barry for his decision to send off midfielder Laurent Robert and Dennis Bergkamp's role in the dismissal, suggesting he "wasn't trying to play the ball to anybody. He kicked the ball against Laurent – I've seen other players do that and I don't like it."[64] Arsenal beat Manchester City 5–1 in their final trip to Maine Road on 22 February 2003. The first four goals, all scored before the half-hour, came at a time when "[Alex] Ferguson ordered the radio to be switched before they reached Old Trafford, presumably in ghastly silence."[65]

March–May

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"I've always plumped for Arsenal, until now. It seemed to me earlier in the season they could score goals whenever they wanted. But they've seen all these points being lost and, without sitting on the fence, I really don't have a clue now. It's all up for grabs."

—Manager Graham Taylor, 5 April 2003[66]

On 2 March 2003, Arsenal opened up an eight-point lead at the top of the table, winning 2–0 against Charlton Athletic.[67] The result was enough for Irish bookmaker Paddy Power to pay out on punters backing Arsenal to retain their lead, despite Manchester United having a game in hand.[68] The gap was cut to two points after Arsenal suffered their first defeat in 2003, against Blackburn Rovers.[69] By the time Arsenal played Everton on 23 March 2003, they were displaced at the top of the table by Manchester United. A goal by Vieira moved the team two points clear once more.[70]

An own goal scored by Touré meant Freddie Ljungberg's opener against Aston Villa was cancelled out and the match ended in a draw, albeit helping Arsenal back to first position on goal difference.[71] Leading up to the potential championship decider against Manchester United on 16 April 2003, Wenger was adamant his team were mentally ready to retain the title: "We want to be a team who makes history. That's what's really driving us on. We are not worrying about United too much. We are just concentrating on expressing our togetherness, our mental strength and our qualities. We have enough players who can win this game."[72] Having conceded a first half goal scored by Ruud van Nistelrooy, Arsenal overturned Manchester United's lead before Ryan Giggs equalised for the away team.[73] The match ended 2–2; Campbell was sent off for elbowing Ole Gunnar Solskjær and was banned the rest of the season, whereas Vieira limped off with an injury.[73] Although the result helped Manchester United move back top, they had played one game more than Arsenal.[73] Arsenal won their next match at Middlesbrough,[74] but squandered a two-goal lead away to Bolton Wanderers in the last ten minutes. The result, "a big blow" for Arsenal's title hopes,[75] meant the championship was now in Manchester United's favour.[75]

With Manchester United beating Charlton Athletic 4–1 on 3 May 2003, Arsenal, a day later, needed a win against Leeds United to restore any hope of finishing top of the league.[76] In a five-goal match, an 88th-minute goal by Mark Viduka ensured Leeds United's survival in the top division and Manchester United's recapture of the Premiership.[77] Wenger revoked suggestion that the league campaign was a "failure", arguing his team were consistent:

Of course we want to win the league but I think the most difficult thing for the club is to be consistent and we have been remarkably consistent. We are in the cup final; we lose the league to a team who spends 50% more money every year – last year they bought a player for £30m pounds when they lost the championship. They will do the same next year and we [have] done miracles just to fight with them.[78]

Arsenal won their final two matches of the league season, against Southampton – where Pires and Jermaine Pennant both scored a hat-trick[79] – and Sunderland, ending the season with 78 points.[80]

18 August 2002 (2002-08-18) 1 Arsenal 2–0 Birmingham City London
16:05 BST Henry   9'
Wiltord   24'		 Report Purse Yellow card  24'
Cissé Yellow card  69' Yellow-red card  73'		 Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 38,018
Referee: Mike Riley
24 August 2002 (2002-08-24) 2 West Ham United 2–2 Arsenal London
15:00 BST J. Cole   44'
Kanouté   53'
Řepka Yellow card  63'
Moncur Yellow card  87'		 Report Bergkamp Yellow card  18'
Edu Yellow card  42'
A. Cole Yellow card  53'
Henry   65'
Keown Yellow card  68'
Vieira Yellow card  75'
Wiltord   88'		 Stadium: Boleyn Ground
Attendance: 35,048
Referee: Neale Barry
27 August 2002 (2002-08-27) 3 Arsenal 5–2 West Bromwich Albion London
20:00 BST Cole   3'
Lauren   21'
Edu Yellow card  23'
Wiltord   24', 77'
Keown Yellow card  67'
Campbell Yellow card  72'
Aliadière   90'		 Report McInnes Yellow card  19'
Clement Yellow card  39'
Dobie   52'
Roberts   87'		 Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 37,920
Referee: Paul Durkin
1 September 2002 (2002-09-01) 4 Chelsea 1–1 Arsenal London
16:05 BST Lampard Yellow card  7'
Le Saux Yellow card  12'
Zola   34'
de Lucas Yellow card  42'
Grønkjær Yellow card  54'
Melchiot Yellow card  82'		 Report Vieira Yellow card  33' Yellow-red card  50'
Wiltord Yellow card  55'
Touré   60'		 Stadium: Stamford Bridge
Attendance: 40,037
Referee: Andy D'Urso
10 September 2002 (2002-09-10) 5 Arsenal 2–1 Manchester City London
20:00 BST Wiltord   26'
Vieira Yellow card  37'
Henry   42'		 Report Anelka   29'
Distin Yellow card  35'
Benarbia Yellow card  22' Yellow-red card  84'		 Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 37,878
Referee: Clive Wilkes
14 September 2002 (2002-09-14) 6 Charlton Athletic 0–3 Arsenal London
15:00 BST Report Keown Yellow card  14'
A. Cole Yellow card  26'
Henry   44'
Wiltord   67'
Luzhnyi Yellow card  80'
Edu   88'		 Stadium: The Valley
Attendance: 26,080
Referee: Steve Dunn
21 September 2002 (2002-09-21) 7 Arsenal 2–1 Bolton Wanderers London
15:00 BST Keown Yellow card  19'
Henry   26'
Kanu   90+3'		 Report Farrelly   47'
Holdsworth Yellow card  55'
Campo Yellow card  8' Yellow-red card  79'
Jääskeläinen Yellow card  82'		 Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 37,974
Referee: David Pugh
28 September 2002 (2002-09-28) 8 Leeds United 1–4 Arsenal Leeds
12:00 BST Smith Yellow card  6'
Dacourt Yellow card  17'
Bakke Yellow card  75'
Bowyer Yellow card  76'
Kewell   85'		 Report Kanu   9', 86'
Touré   20'
Vieira Yellow card  40'
Henry   46'
Campbell Yellow card  48'		 Stadium: Elland Road
Attendance: 40,199
Referee: Alan Wiley
6 October 2002 (2002-10-06) 9 Arsenal 3–1 Sunderland London
14:00 BST Kanu   3', 9'
Vieira   45+2'		 Report Craddock   83' Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 37,902
Referee: David Elleray
19 October 2002 (2002-10-19) 10 Everton 2–1 Arsenal Liverpool
15:00 BST Radzinski   22'
Weir Yellow card  39'
Pembridge Yellow card  45+1'
Linderoth Yellow card  89'
Rooney   90'		 Report Ljungberg   8'
Edu Yellow card  90+4'		 Stadium: Goodison Park
Attendance: 39,038
Referee: Uriah Rennie
26 October 2002 (2002-10-26) 11 Arsenal 1–2 Blackburn Rovers London
15:00 BST Edu   45'
Henry Yellow card  83'		 Report Edu   6' (o.g.)
Østenstad Yellow card  37'
Johansson Yellow card  45'
Yorke   51'
Flitcroft Yellow card  70' Yellow-red card  79'		 Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 38,064
Referee: Graham Barber
3 November 2002 (2002-11-03) 12 Fulham 0–1 Arsenal London
14:00 GMT Djetou Yellow card  49' Report Marlet   31' (o.g.)
Cygan Yellow card  35'
Edu Yellow card  67'		 Stadium: Loftus Road
Attendance: 18,800
Referee: Jeff Winter
9 November 2002 (2002-11-09) 13 Arsenal 1–0 Newcastle United London
15:00 GMT Wiltord   25' Report Griffin Yellow card  57'
Hugo Viana Yellow card  68'		 Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 38,121
Referee: Mike Dean
16 November 2002 (2002-11-16) 14 Arsenal 3–0 Tottenham Hotspur London
15:00 GMT Henry   13'
Ljungberg   55'
Wiltord   71'		 Report Davies Yellow card  23' Yellow-red card  27'
Poyet Yellow card  49'		 Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 38,152
Referee: Mike Riley
23 November 2002 (2002-11-23) 15 Southampton 3–2 Arsenal Southampton
15:00 GMT Beattie   45+3', 58' (pen.)
Delgado   67'
Marsden Yellow card  70'		 Report Bergkamp   36'
Campbell Red card  57'
A. Cole Yellow card  60'
Pires   79'
Vieira Yellow card  90+3'		 Stadium: St Mary's Stadium
Attendance: 31,797
Referee: Paul Durkin
30 November 2002 (2002-11-30) 16 Arsenal 3–1 Aston Villa London
15:00 GMT Pires   17'
Henry   49', 82' (pen.)
Luzhnyi Yellow card  54'
Henry Yellow card  87'		 Report Hitzlsperger   64', Yellow card  69'
Taylor Yellow card  84'
Dublin Yellow card  90+2'		 Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 38,090
Referee: Graham Barber
7 December 2002 17 Manchester United 2–0 Arsenal Manchester
12:15 GMT Verón   22'
Scholes   73'		 Report Stadium: Old Trafford
Attendance: 67,650
Referee: Dermot Gallagher
15 December 2002 18 Tottenham Hotspur 1–1 Arsenal London
14:00 GMT Ziege   11' Report Pires   45+1' (pen.) Stadium: White Hart Lane
Attendance: 36,076
Referee: Neale Barry
21 December 2002 19 Arsenal 2–0 Middlesbrough London
15:00 GMT Campbell   45+1'
Pires   90+1'		 Report Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 38,003
Referee: Steve Dunn
26 December 2002 20 West Bromwich Albion 1–2 Arsenal West Bromwich
14:00 GMT Dichio   3' Report Jeffers   48'
Henry   85'		 Stadium: The Hawthorns
Attendance: 27,025
Referee: Graham Poll
29 December 2002 21 Arsenal 1–1 Liverpool London
16:05 GMT Henry   79' (pen.) Report Murphy   70' (pen.) Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 38,074
Referee: Jeff Winter
1 January 2003 22 Arsenal 3–2 Chelsea London
15:00 GMT Desailly   9' (o.g.)
van Bronckhorst   81'
Henry   82'		 Report Stanić   85'
Petit   86'		 Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 38,096
Referee: Uriah Rennie
12 January 2003 23 Birmingham City 0–4 Arsenal Birmingham
16:05 GMT Report Henry   6', 70'
Pires   29'
Lauren   67'		 Stadium: St Andrew's
Attendance: 29,505
Referee: Steve Bennett
19 January 2003 24 Arsenal 3–1 West Ham United London
14:00 GMT Henry   14' (pen.), 71', 86' Report Defoe   40' Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 38,053
Referee: Mike Dean
29 January 2003 25 Liverpool 2–2 Arsenal Liverpool
20:00 GMT Riise   52'
Heskey   90+1'		 Report Pires   9'
Bergkamp   63'		 Stadium: Anfield
Attendance: 43,668
Referee: Mark Halsey
1 February 2003 26 Arsenal 2–1 Fulham London
15:00 GMT Pires   17', 90+1' Report Malbranque   29' Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 38,050
Referee: Eddie Wolstenholme
9 February 2003 27 Newcastle United 1–1 Arsenal Newcastle upon Tyne
16:05 GMT Robert   53' Report Henry   27' Stadium: St James' Park
Attendance: 52,157
Referee: Neale Barry
22 February 2003 28 Manchester City 1–5 Arsenal Manchester
15:00 GMT Anelka   87' Report Bergkamp   4'
Pires   12'
Henry   15'
Campbell   19'
Vieira   53'		 Stadium: Maine Road
Attendance: 34,960
Referee: Paul Durkin
2 March 2003 29 Arsenal 2–0 Charlton Athletic London
12:00 GMT Jeffers   26'
Pires   45+1'		 Report Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 38,015
Referee: Rob Styles
15 March 2003 30 Blackburn Rovers 2–0 Arsenal Blackburn
15:00 GMT Duff   22'
Tugay   52'		 Report Stadium: Ewood Park
Attendance: 29,840
Referee: Steve Bennett
23 March 2003 31 Arsenal 2–1 Everton London
16:05 GMT Cygan   8'
Vieira   64'		 Report Rooney   56' Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 38,042
Referee: Alan Wiley
5 April 2003 32 Aston Villa 1–1 Arsenal Birmingham
15:00 BST Touré   71' (o.g.) Report Ljungberg   56' Stadium: Villa Park
Attendance: 42,602
Referee: Uriah Rennie
16 April 2003 33 Arsenal 2–2 Manchester United London
20:00 BST Henry   51', 62' Report van Nistelrooy   24'
Giggs   63'		 Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 38,164
Referee: Mark Halsey
19 April 2003 34 Middlesbrough 0–2 Arsenal Middlesbrough
15:00 BST Report Wiltord   48'
Henry   82'		 Stadium: Riverside Stadium
Attendance: 34,724
Referee: David Elleray
26 April 2003 35 Bolton Wanderers 2–2 Arsenal Bolton
12:30 BST Djorkaeff   74'
Keown   84' (o.g.)
Laville Red card  90+2'		 Report Wiltord   47'
Pires   56'		 Stadium: Reebok Stadium
Attendance: 27,253
Referee: Andy D'Urso
4 May 2003 36 Arsenal 2–3 Leeds United London
16:05 BST Henry   31'
Bergkamp   63'		 Report Kewell   5'
Harte   48'
Viduka   88'		 Stadium: Highbury
Referee: Alan Wiley
7 May 2003 37 Arsenal 6–1 Southampton London
19:45 BST Pires   8', 22', 46'
Pennant   15', 18', 25'		 Report Tessem   34' Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 38,052
Referee: Uriah Rennie
11 May 2003 38 Sunderland 0–4 Arsenal Sunderland
15:00 BST Report Henry   7'
Ljungberg   39', 78', 88'		 Stadium: Stadium of Light
Attendance: 40,188
Referee: Paul Durkin

Classification

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Further information: 2002–03 FA Premier League § Final League table
Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Manchester United (C) 38 25 8 5 74 34 +40 83 Qualification for the Champions League group stage
2 Arsenal 38 23 9 6 85 42 +43 78
3 Newcastle United 38 21 6 11 63 48 +15 69 Qualification for the Champions League third qualifying round
4 Chelsea 38 19 10 9 68 38 +30 67
5 Liverpool 38 18 10 10 61 41 +20 64 Qualification for the UEFA Cup first round[b]
Source: Premier League
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(C) Champions
Notes:
  1. ^ Wenger's actual quote was: "It's not impossible. I know it will be difficult for us to go through the season unbeaten. But if we keep the right attitude it's possible we can do it."[9]
  2. ^ Since Liverpool qualified for the UEFA Cup via the league, their place in the UEFA Cup as League Cup winners reverted to the league and was awarded to Blackburn Rovers as the highest-placed team not already qualified for European competitions.

Results summary

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Overall Home Away
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
38 23 9 6 85 42  +43 78 15 2 2 47 20  +27 8 7 4 38 22  +16

Source: [81]

Results by round

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Round1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303132333435363738
GroundHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHAHHAHAHAAHAHAHAAHHA
ResultWDWDWWWWWLLWWWLWLDWWDWWWDWDWWLWDDWDLWW
Position34121111122221111111111111111111222222
Source: [82]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

FA Cup

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See also: 2002–03 FA Cup

Arsenal entered the competition in the third round, receiving a bye as a Premier League club. Their opening match was a 2–0 home win against Oxford United on 4 January 2003.[83] Bergkamp scored his 100th goal for the club and an own goal by defender Scott McNiven ensured progression to the next round.[84] Arsenal faced non-league side Farnborough Town but the match switched from Farnborough's ground at Cherrywood Road to Highbury due to concerns over safety.[85] Farnborough as the home team began the match in disastrous fashion, conceding a goal scored by Campbell in the 19th minute, and going down to ten men after Christian Lee was sent off for a professional foul. Francis Jeffers scored twice before Rocky Baptiste added a consolation, beating Cygan for pace and despite having his first shot saved by goalkeeper Taylor, he managed to lift the ball over him and into the net. Lauren and Bergkamp each scored in the final 15 minutes to give Arsenal a 5–1 victory.[86]

Arsenal's fifth-round match was away to league rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford on 16 February 2003. After Giggs missed the chance to score past an open goal, midfielder Edu gave Arsenal the lead through a free kick which took a deflection off David Beckham's shoulder. Wiltord scored the second goal of the match in the 52nd minute, running onto a pass from Edu and side-footing the ball past goalkeeper Fabien Barthez.[87] Vieira said of the performance: "We knew when we lost here in the league that we had lost the battle in midfield. We had to put that right, and we did."[88] In the sixth round, Arsenal were drawn at home to Chelsea in a repeat of the previous season's final.[89] Chelsea defender John Terry put his team ahead with a header from a set piece before Arsenal responded through Jeffers and Henry. Frank Lampard scored a late equaliser for the visiting team meaning the match was replayed at Stamford Bridge.[90] An own goal by Terry and a strike by Wiltord in the space of seven minutes during the replay gave Arsenal an early lead against Chelsea. Despite going down to ten men after Cygan was sent off and Terry scoring from a header, the away team scored a third goal through Lauren to ensure progression into the semi-finals.[91] In the semi-final against Sheffield United on 13 April 2003 at Old Trafford, Ljungberg scored the winning goal to help Arsenal reach their third successive FA Cup final appearance.[92] The match was remembered for Seaman, who on his 1,000th appearance in senior football produced a late save to deny Sheffield United from equalising.[93]

In the 2003 FA Cup Final against Southampton, a goal from Pires, scored in the first half was enough to ensure Arsenal won their ninth FA Cup, becoming the first team to retain the trophy in over 20 years.[94] Wenger commented after the game that his team "got the trophy we wanted"[95] while defender Martin Keown said the FA Cup win was "the best ever".[95] Winning captain David Seaman felt the disappointment of losing out to Manchester United in the league spurred the team on.[95] The game was Seaman's final one for the club.

4 January 2003 (2003-01-04) Third round Arsenal 2–0 Oxford United London
15:00 GMT Bergkamp   15'
McNiven   67' (o.g.)		 Report Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 35,432
Referee: Clive Wilkes
25 January 2003 (2003-01-25) Fourth round Farnborough Town 1–5 Arsenal London
15:00 GMT Baptiste   71' Report Campbell   19'
Jeffers   23', 68'
Bergkamp   74'
Lauren   78'		 Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 35,108
Referee: Alan Wiley
15 February 2003 (2003-02-15) Fifth round Manchester United 0–2 Arsenal Manchester
12:15 GMT Report Edu   35'
Wiltord   52'		 Stadium: Old Trafford
Attendance: 67,209
Referee: Jeff Winter
8 March 2003 (2003-03-08) Quarter-finals Arsenal 2–2 Chelsea London
17:15 GMT Jeffers   37'
Henry   45'		 Report Terry   4'
Lampard   84'		 Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 38,104
Referee: Paul Durkin
25 March 2003 (2003-03-25) Quarter-finals replay Chelsea 1–3 Arsenal London
19:45 GMT Terry   79' Report Terry   24' (o.g.)
Wiltord   33'
Lauren   82'		 Stadium: Stamford Bridge
Attendance: 41,456
Referee: David Elleray
13 April 2003 (2003-04-13) Semi-finals Arsenal 1–0 Sheffield United Manchester
13:30 GMT Ljungberg   34' Report Stadium: Old Trafford
Attendance: 59,170
Referee: Graham Poll
17 May 2003 (2003-05-17) Final Arsenal 1–0 Southampton Cardiff
15:00 GMT Pires   38' Report Stadium: Millennium Stadium
Attendance: 73,726
Referee: Graham Barber

League Cup

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Main article: 2002–03 Football League Cup

Together with the other clubs playing in European football, Arsenal entered the Football League Cup in the third round, where they were drawn at home to Premier League club Sunderland. Although Arsenal went two goals ahead in the first half, Sunderland responded, scoring three times in 15 minutes.[96] The result was Wenger's fifth defeat in six matches.

6 November 2002 (2002-11-06) Third round Arsenal 2–3 Sunderland London
19:45 GMT Pires   12'
Jeffers   33'		 Report Kyle   56'
Stewart   70', 72'		 Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 19,059
Referee: Alan Wiley

UEFA Champions League

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Main article: 2002–03 UEFA Champions League

Group stage

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Main article: 2002–03 UEFA Champions League group stage § Group A
 
Arsenal greet their fans before their game at Auxerre, 2 October 2002

Arsenal were drawn in Group A, along with German club Borussia Dortmund, Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven and French side Auxerre.[97] A deflected goal by Bergkamp and a counterattack, finished off by Ljungberg on his comeback from injury gave Arsenal the perfect start in the group stages, at home to Borussia Dortmund.[98] At the Philips Stadion, Arsenal produced an impressive display against PSV, winning 4–0.[99] It was their first win in European football away from home in 19 months[99] and the match set a new club record, as Gilberto scored the fastest goal in the competition at 20.07 seconds.[100]

Against Auxerre, Gilberto scored for the second successive matchday to take Arsenal to nine points, but goals from Olivier Kapo and Khalilou Fadiga in the return game inflicted Arsenal's first defeat in the Champions League.[101] In spite of taking the lead against Borussia Dortmund on Matchday 5, Arsenal conceded two goals to lose 2–1.[102] A fourth straight defeat represented the club's worst run in 19 years[102] but with PSV beating Auxerre, Arsenal qualified for the second group stage with a game to spare – that match ending in a 0–0 draw against PSV.[103]

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 England  Arsenal 6 3 1 2 9 4 +5 10 Advance to second group stage
2 Germany  Borussia Dortmund 6 3 1 2 8 7 +1 10
3 France  Auxerre 6 2 1 3 4 7 −3 7 Transfer to UEFA Cup
4 Netherlands  PSV Eindhoven 6 1 3 2 5 8 −3 6
Source: RSSSF
17 September 2002 (2002-09-17) 1 Arsenal England  2–0 Germany  Borussia Dortmund London, England
20:45 CEST Bergkamp   62'
Ljungberg   77'		 Report Yellow card  14' Dedê Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 34,907
Referee: Anders Frisk (Sweden)
25 September 2002 (2002-09-25) 2 PSV Eindhoven Netherlands  0–4 England  Arsenal Eindhoven, Netherlands
20:45 CEST Ooijer Yellow card  20'
Vennegoor of Hesselink Yellow card  55'		 Report   1' Gilberto Silva
Yellow card  34' Lauren
  66' Ljungberg
  81', 90+2' Henry		 Stadium: Philips Stadion
Attendance: 24,000
Referee: Ľuboš Micheľ (Slovakia)
2 October 2002 (2002-10-02) 3 Auxerre France  0–1 England  Arsenal Auxerre, France
20:45 CEST Jaurès Yellow card  77' Report   48' Gilberto Stadium: Stade de l'Abbé-Deschamps
Attendance: 21,000
Referee: Frank De Bleeckere (Belgium)
22 October 2002 (2002-10-22) 4 Arsenal England  1–2 France  Auxerre London, England
20:45 CET Kanu   53'
Campbell Yellow card  68'
Vieira Yellow card  87'		 Report   8' Kapo
  27' Fadiga
Yellow card  42' Boumsong
Yellow card  56' Faye		 Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 35,206
Referee: Domenico Messina (Italy)
30 October 2002 (2002-10-30) 5 Borussia Dortmund Germany  2–1 England  Arsenal Dortmund, Germany
20:45 CET Rosický   38', 62' (pen.)
Reuter Yellow card  77'		 Report   18' Henry Stadium: Westfalenstadion
Attendance: 52,000
Referee: Manuel Mejuto González (Spain)
12 November 2002 (2002-11-12) 6 Arsenal England  0–0 Netherlands  PSV Eindhoven London, England
20:45 CET Yellow card  29' Red card  35' Touré Report Yellow card  25' Vogel
Yellow card  45+1' Ooijer
Yellow card  65' Hofland
Yellow card  90' Vennegoor of Hesselink
Yellow card  90+2' van Bommel		 Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 35,274
Referee: Tom Henning Øvrebø (Norway)

Second group stage

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Main article: 2002–03 UEFA Champions League second group stage § Group B

Henry scored his first hat-trick in Europe for Arsenal against Roma on 27 November 2002 with the player stating; "It's wonderful to score a hat-trick but it's even more important that I did so in a game we've won."[104] The result was followed with four consecutive draws – three at home against Roma, Valencia and Ajax. Arsenal only needed a draw to progress into the knockout stages, but lost 2–1 to Valencia at the Mestalla on 19 March 2003.[105] Reflecting later on the Champions League campaign, Wenger commented that "we lost our qualification at home".[106]

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Spain  Valencia 6 2 3 1 5 6 −1 9 Advance to knockout stage
2 Netherlands  Ajax 6 1 5 0 6 5 +1 8
3 England  Arsenal 6 1 4 1 6 5 +1 7
4 Italy  Roma 6 1 2 3 7 8 −1 5
Source: RSSSF
27 November 2002 (2002-11-27) 7 Roma Italy  1–3 England  Arsenal Rome, Italy
20:45 CET Cassano   4'
Samuel Yellow card  41'
Emerson Yellow card  74'
Batistuta Yellow card  80'		 Report   6', 70', 75' Henry Stadium: Stadio Olimpico
Attendance: 70,000
Referee: Ľuboš Micheľ (Slovakia)
10 December 2002 (2002-12-10) 8 Arsenal England  0–0 Spain  Valencia London, England
20:45 CET Report Red card  72' Angulo Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 34,793
Referee: Kim Milton Nielsen (Denmark)
18 February 2002 (2002-02-18) 9 Arsenal England  1–1 Netherlands  Ajax London, England
20:45 CET Wiltord   5'
Pires Yellow card  90+1'		 Report   17' de Jong
Yellow card  56' Pasanen
Yellow card  79' Lobonț
Yellow card  82' Boukhari		 Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 35,427
Referee: Lucílio Batista (Portugal)
26 February 2003 (2003-02-26) 10 Ajax Netherlands  0–0 England  Arsenal Amsterdam, Netherlands
20:45 CET Report Yellow card  39' Cole
Yellow card  75' Vieira		 Stadium: Amsterdam Arena
Attendance: 51,025
Referee: Valentin Ivanov (Russia)
11 March 2003 (2003-03-11) 11 Arsenal England  1–1 Italy  Roma London, England
20:45 CET Vieira   12'
van Bronckhorst Yellow card  29'		 Report Yellow card  28' Cassano
Yellow card  32' Samuel
  45+2' Cassano
Yellow card  67' Aldair		 Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 35,472
Referee: Urs Meier (Germany)
19 March 2003 (2003-03-19) 12 Valencia Spain  2–1 England  Arsenal Valencia, Spain
20:45 CET Carew   34', 57'
Carboni Yellow card  36'
Pellegrino Yellow card  54'
Aimar Yellow card  76'		 Report Yellow card  42' Vieira
  49' Henry
Yellow card  90+3' Pires		 Stadium: Mestalla Stadium
Attendance: 50,000
Referee: Kyros Vassaras (Greece)

Player statistics

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Arsenal used a total of 30 players during the 2002–03 season and there were 17 different goalscorers. There were also two squad members who did not make a first-team appearance in the campaign. Henry featured in 55 matches, three of which he came on as a substitute.

The team scored a total of 112 goals in all competitions. The highest goalscorer was Henry, with 32 goals, followed by Pires who scored 16 goals. Four Arsenal players were sent off during the season: Vieira, Cygan, Campbell (twice) and Touré.

Key

Numbers in parentheses denote appearances as substitute. Players with number struck through and marked † left the club during the playing season.

No. Pos. Nat. Name Premier League FA Cup League Cup Community Shield Champions League Total Discipline
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals A yellow rectangular card  A red rectangular card 
1 GK   ENG David Seaman 28 0 5 0 0 0 1 0 9 0 43 0 0 0
3 DF   ENG Ashley Cole 30 (1) 1 3 0 0 0 1 0 9 0 43 (1) 1 7 0
4 MF   FRA Patrick Vieira 24 3 5 0 0 0 1 0 12 0 42 4 11 1
5 DF   ENG Martin Keown 22 (2) 0 5 0 0 0 1 0 4 (1) 0 32 (3) 0 7 0
7 MF   FRA Robert Pires 21 (5) 14 5 (1) 1 1 1 0 0 8 (1) 0 35 (7) 16 2 0
8 MF   SWE Freddie Ljungberg 19 (1) 6 3 (1) 1 0 0 0 0 7 (1) 2 29 (3) 9 0 0
9 FW   ENG Francis Jeffers 2 (14) 2 6 3 1 1 0 0 1 (4) 0 10 (18) 6 1 0
10 FW   NED Dennis Bergkamp 23 (6) 4 2 (2) 2 0 0 1 1 6 (1) 1 32 (9) 7 3 0
11 FW   FRA Sylvain Wiltord 27 (7) 10 3 (4) 2 0 0 1 0 10 (2) 1 41 (13) 13 2 0
12 DF   CMR Lauren 26 (1) 2 6 2 0 0 1 0 9 (1) 0 42 (2) 4 8 0
13 GK   ENG Stuart Taylor 7 (1) 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 1 (1) 0 11 (2) 0 0 0
14 FW   FRA Thierry Henry 37 24 2 (3) 1 0 0 1 0 12 7 52 (3) 32 10 0
15 MF   ENG Ray Parlour 14 (5) 0 6 0 0 0 1 0 (2) 0 21 (7) 0 4 0
16 MF   NED Giovanni van Bronckhorst 9 (11) 1 3 (2) 0 1 0 0 0 2 (2) 0 15 (15) 1 2 0
17 MF   BRA Edu 12 (6) 2 5 (1) 1 0 0 1 0 1 (3) 0 19 (10) 3 5 0
18 DF   FRA Pascal Cygan 16 (2) 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 9 (2) 0 27 (4) 1 4 1
19 MF   BRA Gilberto Silva 32 (3) 0 1 (2) 0 0 0 (1) 1 11 (1) 2 44 (7) 3 1 0
21 MF   ENG Jermaine Pennant 1 (4) 3 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 (1) 0 2 (4) 3 0 0
22 DF   UKR Oleh Luzhnyi 11 (6) 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 3 (1) 0 17 (7) 0 3 0
23 DF   ENG Sol Campbell 33 2 5 1 0 0 1 0 10 0 49 3 4 2
24 GK   SWE Rami Shaaban 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 5 0 0 0
25 FW   NGR Nwankwo Kanu 10 (7) 5 1 0 1 0 0 0 2 (6) 1 14 (13) 6 0 0
26 DF   LAT Igors Stepanovs 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 4 0 0 0
27 DF   GRE Stathis Tavlaridis 0 (1) 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 (1) 0 0 0
28 MF   CIV Kolo Touré 9 (17) 2 3 (2) 0 1 0 (1) 0 3 (4) 0 16 (24) 2 2 1
29 DF   GER Moritz Volz 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 (1) 0 0 0
30 FW   FRA Jérémie Aliadière (3) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (3) 1 0 0
39 MF   ENG David Bentley 0 0 (1) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
40 MF   ENG Ryan Garry 1 0 0 0 (1) 0 0 0 0 0 1 (1) 0 0 0
45 DF   ENG Justin Hoyte (1) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
49 MF   DEN Sebastian Svärd 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0

Source:[107]

See also

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Notes

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References

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