Sol Campbell ditched Tottenham for Arsenal – and ended up winning the league

SOL Campbell thinks more fuss would be made of Arsenal’s unbeaten ‘invincible’ season if it had been achieved by Manchester United or Liverpool.

The defender, who was an important part of the unmatched feat after joining the Gunners from Spurs, was speaking as the club marks 20 years since winning the league without losing a single match.

Campbell said: “Personally, I’m still disappointed that the Premier League didn’t award all of the players a mini replica trophy or commemorative medal. It’s the only time this has been done in 100 years, and I truly believe that had Manchester United or Liverpool done it, it would have been recognised more.”

Arsenal finished the 2023/2024 season having famously played 38, won 26, drawn 12 and lost none – the achievement which former manager Arsene Wenger will be best remembered for in north London and beyond.

Campbell, who was interviewed for the matchday programme ahead of the Gunners’ 5-0 thrashing of Sheffield United, added: “I think it’s really embarrassing that the players never received anything [a special medal] like that. Maybe we will this year for the anniversary, but I think something should be done.”

In the interview, Campbell repeated his claim that he was once the best “pound for pound” defender in the world at one time.

He had been the captain of Spurs but when his contract expired, he left White Hart Lane and joined Arsenal on a free transfer.

It was at Tottenham’s old ground that the Gunners clinched the league title during the unbeaten season with a 2-2 draw.

Spurs madly celebrated a last minute equaliser before it dawned on them that Arsenal only needed a point and that their fiercest rivals would soon be celebrating on their pitch.

Campbell said he deliberately didn’t go too hard.

“I know some the lads, like Ashley Cole, they went nuts out there celebrating,” he said. “But I respected the situation. I went inside and then came out after their fans had gone. I celebrated with the lads, with our fans. I could have been brash about it, rubbed it in, but I wanted to respect the environment, football and both clubs. I could have really gone to town.”