Arsenal look odds on to finish in the top four this season, having turned their Premier League form around since a damaging defeat to Southampton on New Years Day.
Arsene Wenger’s men have lost just once since then – although that was to a Harry Kane inspired Tottenham at White Hart Lane – and now have their sights set on a Premier League runners up spot.
It has not been the ideal season for the Gunners however, with a title challenge doomed by October, and a shock Champions League exit at the hands of Monaco earlier in the month.
Arsenal still look a long way off the standards they set more than a decade ago, when they became the only season to manage a Premier League season unbeaten.
We have a feeling that few of the stars of that season may well pop up in the best Arsenal XI of the 21st century.
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Click on Arsene Wenger to reveal the best Arsenal XI of the 21st century
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Jens Lehmann
The German goalkeeper is often remembered for his childish antics on the pitch, so it is easy to forget just how good he was for Arsenal.
Lehmann was the man in goal for that historic unbeaten season in 2003-04, whilst his performances during 2005-06 were particularly outstanding as Arsenal made the Champions League final.
He was unfortunate to be harshly sent off against Barcelona in that final in Paris, but his penalty save in stoppage time against Villarreal in the semi final is what got the Gunners to that position in the first place.
Lauren
Signed as a midfielder originally in the summer of 2000, Cameroon star Lauren would go on to become a key player for the Gunners in the successful years that followed.
He made his home debut in crunch clash with Liverpool at Highbury, where it took less than 10 minutes for him to open his account as the Gunners went on to a 2-0 victory.
Lauren eventually ended up at right back, where he was a fixture in the Arsenal side that won the double in 2001/02 and the ‘Invincibles’ team of 2003/04.
A crucial match winning penalty against Tottenham will also be remembered as one of his Arsenal highlights.
Sol Campbell
In his prime, Sol Campbell was considered the first defender on the team sheet for both club and country.
Commanding, physical and a leader, it could be argued the Gunners have not had a centre back to replace him sufficiently since he left the club.
A key member of two title winning sides under Arsene Wenger – including the invincible side of 2003-04 – Campbell was also just minutes away from writing his name into Arsenal history with what would have been a winning goal against Barcelona in a Champions League final, had the Catalan’s not managed a late turnaround in the 2006 final in Paris.
Kolo Toure
Another player originally signed as a midfielder by Arsene Wenger, Kolo Toure endeared himself to Gunners supporters with a goal against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge during his first season.
He would go on to form an excellent centre back partnership with Sol Campbell, and become one of the most popular players at the club with his consistent and passionate displays, as well as his infectious personality.
Toure also earnt the club some big money with his transfer to Manchester City in 2009, having made over 200 Premier League appearances during seven years in north London.
Ashley Cole
No doubt an unpopular choice given the way in which Cole departed Arsenal for bitter rivals Chelsea.
Never-the-less, the former England international was exceptional during the time in which he played for the Gunners, and was a key player during the 2003-04 invincibles season.
Arsenal have not had a better right back since his departure.
Robert Pires
The Frenchman was one of the top wingers in the game for a few years before injuries took their toll.
His pace and trickery down the flanks were crucial to Arsenal’s style of play in the early 2000’s, whilst he had a habit of scoring plenty of important goals – some of which were spectacular.
He will surely be remembered as one of the bargains of the Premier League era, with Arsene Wenger paying just £6million to secure his services.
Patrick Vieira
The French midfielder will be considered one of the best foreign imports the Premier League has ever seen.
Captain of the invincibles in 2003/04, Vieira typified everything the modern day midfielder should be.
A natural leader in the middle of the park, Arsenal have not had a player quite like him since he left for Juventus in the summer of 2005.
He was a key member of the title winning side of 2002 also, whilst his last kick in an Arsenal shirt was the winning penalty against Manchester United in the 2005 FA Cup final – not a bad way to bow out.
Gilberto Silva
The World Cup winner proved to be another piece of inspired transfer business by Arsene Wenger, signing for the Gunners in the summer of 2002, and making an immediate impression with the winner against Liverpool in that summer’s Charity Shield.
Goal-scoring was not the Brazilian’s forte however, as he went on to become an outstanding defensive midfielder for the Gunners.
Often an unsung hero, Gilberto was highly thought of by teammates, his manager and the supporters, and it could be argued he has never been properly replaced.
Freddie Ljungberg
The man for the big occasion.
Nobody played a bigger part in Arsenal’s double success of 2002 than the Swedish midfielder, whilst his spectacular goal against Chelsea in the FA Cup final win that season will be remembered as one of his best moments.
His habit of coming up with a crucial goal at a crucial time is what Arsenal have been missing this season, with too many league draws proving costly during the first half of the season, and a lack of big characters producing big moments in tight matches.
Robin van Persie
Similarly to Ashley Cole, Robin van Persie will not be a popular choice amongst Arsenal fans when you consider the way in which he left the club for Manchester United.
Having signed him in 2004 however, van Persie developed into the best striker in the Premier League during his time with the Gunners, firing 96 goals in 194 league appearances.
He was often the driving force for the Gunners, and captained the side for his final two seasons, before recouping £20million for the club with his switch to Old Trafford.
Thierry Henry
Saving the best until last.
Surely the greatest striker in Arsenal’s history and perhaps even the Premier League era.
Henry scored all kinds of wonderful goals, helped Arsenal to league titles, FA Cup’s and a Champions League Final and left as their record goal scorer.
Not bad for a player who cost just £12 million from Juventus back in 2000.