Graham Arnold’s unbeaten A-League declaration for Sydney FC backed by Michael Bridges

MICHAEL Bridges hailed Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold’s bold statement in publicly embracing the challenge of emulating Arsenal’s Invincibles.

MICHAEL Bridges knows first-hand what it’s like to be crushed by a team of Invincibles and has hailed Sydney FC’s Graham Arnold bold ”first” in publicly embracing the challenge of emulating the Arsenal side of 2003-4.

The Sky Blues made it 13 games without defeat with their victory over Brisbane Roar on Friday night, a simply massive result in Bridges’ eyes.

It leaves a team sitting pretty at the top of the ladder and one with a ”force field” surrounding it, according to the 38-year-old.

The former Leeds United striker, who had a short spell with the Sky Blues in late 2007, sees a team brimming with belief and confidence and that spells trouble for opponents.

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Former A-League star Michael Bridges likes Graham Arnold’s boldness.

“I listen to Graham Arnold talking about the Invincibles thing (trying to go through the season unbeaten) and for me it’s a first, unique. I’ve never heard another A-League coach talking like that, certainly not a Premier League manager,” he said.

“I guess it does leave them open to stick if they get beaten eventually but, you know what, I say good on him. Maybe Arnie is trying something new.

“He’s said it, he believes in his players and they believe in him. There’s incredible firepower in that side.

Michael Bridges keeps his eyes on the prize during his playing days with Sydney FC.

“I know Brisbane had a pretty good record against Sydney and those kind of records and stats do play on your mind as players.

“The Leeds side I played in, we always went out confident we’d get the win but where we struggled a bit maybe psychologically was facing the Manchester Uniteds and Arsenals, Liverpools of the league.

“We just couldn’t seem to beat them, apart from the odd occasion like when Dukes (Mark Viduka) destroyed Liverpool (a 4-3 win for Leeds in November 2000).’’

Bridges is airborne as he fires home a goal for Leeds against Everton in 2000. Picture: AP

During Arsenal’s 2003-4 Invincibles campaign, Bridges was part of the Leeds team taken apart by Arsenal Wenger’s side in a 4-1 demolition. Thierry Henry scored after eight minutes and the Gunners were on their way.

Bridges was absent for the return at Highbury, even worse for Leeds, as they were crushed 5-0.

“That was a special, special team, Bridges said. “When you are facing a team on the run they were on and when they have people like Henry and Dennis Bergkamp in their team, they can destroy you.

“We couldn’t get near them. It becomes a psychological battle as well as the physical one. It’s a bit like you have some kind of force field surrounding you.”

Continuity is another big factor in the Invincibles race, says Bridges.

“I don’t think there was much rotation with that Arsenal team and I’m sure the Sydney boys will be wanting to keep playing. People talk about fatigue, but one year at Leeds we playing

on a Saturday and then Thursdays in Europe. But when you’re winning, you just want the next game. It can’t come quickly enough.”

Arsenal’s “Invincibles” pose with English Premier League trophy at Highbury in 2004 after becoming the first team in 115 years to go through the season undefeated. Picture: AP

Bridges believes the challenge for Sydney FC will only get harder as teams become increasingly determined to claim the prize of first side to halt Arnold’s men.

“Sydney FC have put the challenge out there and it’s on to the next one.”

Bridges hopes that the Sky Blues do become Australia’s answer to the Invincibles, however …

“I’d love to see them do it, I would. But when I look at Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory and the players they’ve got too, I just can’t see it happening.”