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Where are Arsenal's famous Invincibles now?

  /  autty

October 27 in the Ligue 1 season represents a sentimental date for Arsenal supporters as they watch two of their former players meet on the sidelines in Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira.

Henry's imminent appointment at Bordeaux means he joins Nice boss Vieira in Ligue 1 in taking a managerial position in their homeland. The pair were two vital players in one of the most iconic teams in English football history - the only side to finish the entire Premier League campaign unbeaten.

But where are the rest of their Invincibles team-mates from the 2003-04 season now? Sportsmail gives you the lowdown on what they've done post-retirement.

Thierry Henry

The club's record goalscorer, Henry has a statue of himself outside the Emirates but was forced to leave his role as the club's Under-18s coach when Arsene Wenger told him he couldn't continue combining the role with his Sky Sports duties.

Henry joined Belgium's coaching staff under Roberto Martinez where he helped the Red Devils to their best-ever World Cup campaign, finishing third in Russia. He left his position for a full-time managerial role and Bordeaux have come calling.

Patrick Vieira

Like Mikel Arteta, Vieira chose to join Manchester City's coaching staff after finishing his playing career as he accepted a role in their Elite Development Squad.

A move to fellow City Football Group team New York City FC as manager followed and after cutting his teeth stateside, Vieira accepted a role at Ligue 1 side Nice this summer despite briefly being linked to replace Arsene Wenger as manager.

Jens Lehmann

The German was a victim of the coaching shake-up under new manager Unai Emery as he left his position as first-team coach this summer having joined under Wenger just 12 months previously.

The fiery former goalkeeper took a parting shot at the decision, sarcastically tweeting that: 'The attitude from our 2004-group is not needed there anymore.'

Sol Campbell

From proclaiming himself one of 'the greatest minds in football' to considering a political career as a Conservative MP, Campbell's retirement has been colourful.

Campbell, who has been outspoken over the lack of black managers in football, has grown frustrated over the refusal of club's to hire him despite a number of interviews with lower league sides. Had a spell as Trinidad and Tobago assistant.

Ashley Cole

The least popular of all the Invincibles, Cole did not feature in a recent book on the team for fear of upsetting Arsenal fans still sore from his departure to Chelsea.

Cole is one of the few members of the squad still playing and is a team-mate of Zlatan Ibrahimovic's at Los Angeles Galaxy. The defender scored a rare goal in the MLS side's 2-2 draw with Colorado Rapids earlier this month.

Lauren

The much-loved former right back was present for Wenger's final home game as Arsenal boss in May as he accepted an invite to the Emirates party alongside a number of his ex-team-mates.

Lauren has worked as a pundit for Sky Sports' coverage of Spanish football, for BBC's World Service and for Eurosport while also representing Arsenal as an ambassador.

Kolo Toure

The Ivorian immediately accepted a role with Celtic's coaching staff under Brendan Rodgers after hanging up his boots at the end of last season with the Scottish champions.

Toure has also worked with his country's national team as a coach for their senior side during the 2017 African Cup of Nations campaign.

Gilberto

The Brazilian was in the headlines this summer as he played a pivotal role in Fred's move from Shakhtar Donetsk to Manchester United as his compatriot's agent.

Aside from dealing with his client's interests, Gilberto champions the Street Football League - a UK-based charity that organises football matches for the homeless.

Dennis Bergkamp

Bergkamp vowed not to move into coaching and turned down an offer from Arsenal to spend time with his family after retiring.

But since then the Dutchman has performed a U-turn and has been heavily involved in the set-up at former club Ajax back in Holland in various capacities from youth level to assistant manager. He was sacked last December.

Freddie Ljungberg

Ljungberg is the only Invincible currently back at the club - as head coach of Arsenal's Under-23s side. The Swede took charge of his first match against Brighton at the Emirates last week.

The Swede previously worked as an Under-15s coach before joining Bundesliga side Wolfsburg as an assistant, before being dismissed in September.

Robert Pires

Pires was involved in Arsenal's coaching set-up on a casual basis until last season and has indicated his desire to earn a permanent position under new boss Emery.

The former FWA Footballer of the Year helped launch Arsenal's third kit earlier this summer and still represents the club regularly as an ambassador. Pires has appeared in a series of legends matches recently.

SUBSTITUTES:

Martin Keown

Introduced on the final game of the season to secure his winners' medal, Keown was a veteran influence in the Invincibles side but played a bit-part role on the pitch.

Keown is currently heavily involved as a pundit with BBC and BT Sport, as well as being a regular columnist for Sportsmail. The former centre back is not afraid of expressing his concerns about Arsenal's current crop.

Ray Parlour

Like Keown, Parlour was an experienced member of the Invincibles side who managed 12 starts in an ultra-competitive midfield to break into.

The Romford Pele is a pundit for talkSPORT where he appears on shows alongside Alan Brazil and commentates on matches. Parlour is also heavily involved in the after-dinner speeches circuit and was in attendance for Arsenal's International Champions Cup tour of the United States.

Edu

Another Brazilian midfielder that starred for Arsenal during their unbeaten season, Edu is working with the national team as their general manager and co-ordinator.

Edu previously assisted Iran's national side at the 2014 World Cup under Carlos Quieroz before linking up with the Brazil set-up.

Gael Clichy

Clichy was the youngest player in the Invincibles squad to claim a winners' medal and was the youngest ever in the Premier League era before Phil Foden broke his record last season.

So it makes sense that he is still playing football, for Turkish side Istanbul Basaksehir where he features alongside another ex-Gunner, Emmanuel Adebayor.

Jose Antonio Reyes

The Spaniard made just seven starts during the 2003-04 season as he struggled (understandably) to break into a forward line of Henry and Bergkamp.

Since then his career has been marred by injury problems but 34-year-old Reyes is still playing, in the Chinese Super League with Xinjiang Tianshan Leopard.

MANAGER

Arsene Wenger

After 22 long years as Arsenal boss, Wenger finally stepped down at the end of last campaign with the Invincibles season of 14 years ago his last Premier League title success.

The 68-year-old insists he is not done in football management but is yet to find a new club despite getting a number of offers. Wenger received an honour from his former player and current Liberia president George Weah this week.