2001–02 Arsenal F.C. season

The 2001–02 campaign marked Arsenal's tenth in the Premier League and their 76th straight year in England's top division. After finishing the prior season as FA Cup runners-up and league runners-up to Manchester United, the club improved on that showing by securing the domestic double—their second in four years and third overall. Arsenal claimed the Premier League title by seven points, went unbeaten in all away matches, and achieved the unique distinction of scoring in every league fixture. They suffered only three defeats, all at home. In the FA Cup final at the Millennium Stadium, Arsenal defeated Chelsea 2–0. Their European campaign, however, was disappointing, ending in the second group stage of the UEFA Champions League.

During the transfer window, Arsenal offloaded several fringe players, including Nelson Vivas to Internazionale and Sylvinho to Celta Vigo; goalkeeper John Lukic was released after deciding to retire. Richard Wright was brought in as a designated understudy for David Seaman, while midfielder Giovanni van Bronckhorst and striker Francis Jeffers arrived in high-cost moves from Rangers and Everton respectively. The most notable signing was defender Sol Campbell, who joined on a free transfer from local rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

Manager Arsène Wenger was named Barclaycard Manager of the Year, and midfielder Freddie Ljungberg received the corresponding player award, the Barclaycard Player of the Year. Winger Robert Pires was honoured as the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year, while Thierry Henry finished as both the club's and the league's top scorer, earning the Premier League Golden Boot. At season's end, club captain Tony Adams announced his retirement after nearly 20 years at the club, followed by fellow defender Lee Dixon and goalkeeping coach Bob Wilson.

In 2000–01, Arsenal placed second in the Premier League for the third straight season, ten points behind Manchester United. The title race effectively ended in February after a 6–1 loss to United at Old Trafford. The season’s focus shifted to cups, with the best chance of ending a three-year trophy drought coming in the FA Cup. Arsenal beat Tottenham Hotspur in the semi-finals and faced Liverpool in the final. Despite dominating most of the match and taking the lead, they conceded two late goals from Michael Owen and lost 2–1.

The cup final defeat prompted Wenger to acknowledge that new players would be added in the transfer window. To address the gap left by Emmanuel Petit in central midfield, van Bronckhorst was signed from Rangers for £8.5 million. Teenager Jeffers arrived from Everton in an initial £8 million deal. Junichi Inamoto and Richard Wright were also recruited, while Vivas and Sylvinho departed. After a lengthy transfer saga in which he questioned Arsenal’s ambitions and was linked to Manchester United, midfielder Patrick Vieira stayed at the club.

The standout signing of the summer was Sol Campbell, who moved from Tottenham on a Bosman free transfer. At one point, his wage demands seemed to have ended Arsenal’s chances of signing him. Campbell was unveiled at a midday press conference on 3 July 2001, which journalists had assumed was called to announce Richard Wright’s arrival from Ipswich. Wenger called Campbell “the best,” adding: “I felt we could not compete on a financial basis with the top clubs but we could give him a football challenge.”

Arsenal began pre-season in England with wins over Boreham Wood and Rushden & Diamonds, then flew to Austria for friendlies against Turkish side Kocaelispor, Spanish club Real Mallorca, and Italian champions Roma, with mixed results. Campbell and Wright made their debuts in a 2–0 win over Real Mallorca. Returning to England, they beat Norwich City and Barnet before the Premier League started.

After announcing his retirement, a testimonial match was arranged for Tony Adams at the end of the season against Scottish champions Celtic on 13 May at Highbury. The match ended in a 1–1 draw, with Lee Dixon scoring Arsenal’s only goal.

Arsenal’s league campaign began on 18 August 2001 with an away match at Middlesbrough. Thierry Henry opened the scoring in the 43rd minute, but Ray Parlour was sent off in the second half for a second yellow card. Despite being a man down, Arsenal earned a late penalty, converted by Robert Pires after Ugo Ehiogu tripped Ashley Cole—who was also sent off. Substitute Dennis Bergkamp added two goals in two minutes, sealing a 4–0 win.

At home to Leeds United, Arsenal conceded in the first half when Ian Harte’s low left-footed free-kick beat Seaman. Sylvain Wiltord equalised shortly after, but Mark Viduka collected a pass from Harry Kewell, used his strength to hold off Tony Adams, and scored for the visitors. Despite Arsenal switching to an attacking formation and Leeds being reduced to nine men after Danny Mills and Lee Bowyer were sent off, Arsenal could not break through. Goals from Ljungberg, Wiltord, Henry, and Kanu against Leicester City moved Arsenal into third place, one point behind joint-leaders Everton and Leeds.