2001–02 Arsenal F.C. season
The 2001–02 season was Arsenal Football Club's 10th season in the Premier League and their 76th consecutive season in the top flight of English football. Having ended the previous season as FA Cup finalists and league runners-up to Manchester United, the club went one better in this campaign, by completing the domestic double – their second in four years and third overall. Arsenal won the Premier League by a seven-point margin, were unbeaten away from home and managed the unique feat of scoring in every league game. They lost only three times in the division, all of which at home. At the Millennium Stadium, Arsenal beat Chelsea 2–0 to win the 2002 FA Cup Final. In Europe however, they fared poorly as they were eliminated in the second group stage of the UEFA Champions League.
2001–02 season | ||||
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Chairman | Peter Hill-Wood | |||
Manager | Arsène Wenger | |||
Stadium | Highbury | |||
Premier League | 1st | |||
FA Cup | Winners | |||
League Cup | Fifth round | |||
UEFA Champions League | Second group stage | |||
Top goalscorer | League: Thierry Henry (24) All: Thierry Henry (32) | |||
Highest home attendance | 38,254 vs Everton (11 May 2002) | |||
Lowest home attendance | 16,917 vs Grimsby Town (27 November 2001) | |||
Average home league attendance | 36,541 (in all competitions) | |||
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In the transfer window, Arsenal sold several fringe players, notably Nelson Vivas to Internazionale and Sylvinho to Celta Vigo; goalkeeper John Lukic was released following his decision to retire. Goalkeeper Richard Wright was signed as an earmarked understudy to David Seaman, while midfielder Giovanni van Bronckhorst and striker Francis Jeffers were purchased in big money moves from Rangers and Everton respectively. Perhaps the marked signing for Arsenal was the acquisition of defender Sol Campbell, who moved from local rivals Tottenham Hotspur on a free transfer.
Manager Arsène Wenger was named Barclaycard Manager of the Year and midfielder Freddie Ljungberg received the player equivalent – the Barclaycard Player of the Year, in recognition of the team's achievement. Winger Robert Pires was given the accolade of being the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year, while Thierry Henry ended the campaign as club and the league's top goalscorer, the latter for which he was awarded the Premier League Golden Boot. At the end of the season, club captain Tony Adams announced his retirement from football; he was followed by fellow defender Lee Dixon and club goalkeeping coach Bob Wilson.