Arsenal would eclipse the ‘Invincibles’ side with double win, says Martin Keown

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal will eclipse the ‘Invincibles’ and be remembered as the club’s greatest ever team if they complete an extraordinary double and win the Champions League, Martin Keown has claimed.

Arsenal have never won Europe’s grandest tournament in their 140-year history, but they will take on Paris St Germain in Saturday’s final full of confidence after landing the Premier League title.

The Gunners secured the league and FA Cup double three times previously, in 1971, 1998 and 2002, while Arsene Wenger’s ‘Invincibles’ re-wrote history by winning the Premier League without losing a game 22 years ago.

However, Keown – who played under Wenger in the 1998, 2002 and 2004 triumphs – said this current side will be immortalised as Arsenal’s “number ones” if they see off reigning champions PSG.

“They’ll be the first ever winners of the Champions League, so for me, they’re the ‘Number Ones’, not the ‘Unforgettables’ (as Thierry Henry claimed) or the ‘Invincibles’, they’re the ‘Number Ones’,” said Keown. “And it puts them there because no-one else has won it.

“Arsenal have been disappointing in Europe. There was a Cup Winners’ Cup competition that fell through our hands in 1995. The UEFA Cup in 2000 as well, with Galatasaray beating us on penalties. So, the club needs to do something major in Europe.

“And Arsenal haven’t lost a game yet in this season’s Champions League. They must be really proud of that. It can quickly be taken away by the way. But winning would really cement them in folklore at Arsenal and that is a massive incentive for the players.

“And one thing I found as a player is that when you hear Queen’s ‘We Are The Champions’, it does something to you. And you start believing that you can achieve anything.”

Ars