WOLVES 1

(Jody Craddock 89)

ARSENAL 4

(Ronald Zubar o.g. 28, Jody Craddock o.g. 35, Cesc Fabregas 45,Andrei Arshavin 66)

ANOTHER Arsenal game ended in a thrashing for the opponents.

Wolves were the last to be beaten, losing 4-1 as Arsenal clocked a third consecutive victory by a three-goal margin.

Such form has prompted some to speculate that this current side can soon emulate the success of the 2003/04 team, which clinched the Premiership title without suffering a single defeat in the competition.

Can they really imitate, or dare we say it, upstage the class of 2003/04?

Here's how they measure up (2003/04 players first, then the current players):

Thierry Henry v Robin van Persie

IT WAS a year when Henry was so good that Alan Shearer, despite his second placing in the top-scorers' chart, ended up eight goals behind him.

Henry finished with 30 Premiership goals that season, and 39 strikes in all competitions. He could cut in from the left, drift in from the right, or go it alone all the way from his own backline.

Van Persie has big shoes to fill here, despite Arsene Wenger recently calling him the 'best striker in the league'.

But with seven Premiership goals and seven assists so far, he is showing signs of turning into a true world-class striker.

Dennis Bergkamp v Andrei Arshavin

MANY believe that had Bergkamp conquered his fear of flying, Arsenal would have been more successful in Europe back then. Such was the Dutchman's importance to the side.

His game is not about converting chances into the back of the net - he scored just four goals in 28 Premiership games that season. It was his link-up play and creativity that turned him into a crowd favourite.

Arshavin, on the other hand, has the pace that Bergkamp never had.

The Russian has adapted quickly to the English game, and is already a key player less than a year into his Arsenal career.

Robert Pires v Abou Diaby

PIRES was then in the form of his life. With 19 goals in all competitions, the attacking midfielder was the club's second highest top-scorer.

Technically superb, and blessed with an eye for goal, the Frenchman was always a menace down the flank.

Diaby, meanwhile, is a quieter sort of player, and definitely minus the on-field flamboyance.

His versatility is his strength, with his ability to play in either left or central midfield, as well as a second striker.

Seldom eye-catching, but effective nevertheless.

Patrick Vieira v Cesc Fabregas

VIEIRA was in his prime and arguably the most stylish holding midfielder of his time.

Never intimidated, and always confident on the ball, he could break up play as effectively as he could launch attacks from deep in the Gunners' half.

Fabregas was just coming to the fore when Vieira left in 2005. While he lacks the defensive qualities of the Frenchman, he is one of the most astute playmakers in the game today.

His influence in the team is tremendous. He has also hit a purple patch in front of goal this season, having already netted nine times in 15 games this term.

Gilberto Silva v Alexandre Song

GILBERTO was already a World Cup winner with Brazil at that time.

His industry in midfield was impressive, although he also tended to keep things simple. He was a calming influence to the younger players.

As for Song, the 22-year-old has only recently been regarded as a first-team player but he has already repaid Wenger's faith in him.

Extremely athletic and versatile, he has youth on his side and has a bright future.

Freddie Ljungberg v Nicklas Bendtner

AT HIS peak, Ljungberg was a prolific goal-scoring midfielder. His tendency to pop up with crucial goals in big games also underlined his big-match temperament.

Like with Ljungberg, Wenger tends to use Bendtner on the right side of the field, although in a more forward position to accommodate a 4-3-3 system.

But Bendtner is still struggling to win over the doubters with his inconsistent displays. Currently sidelined with an injury, his expected absence should present opportunities for the likes of Tomas Rosicky and Eduardo.

Ashley Cole v Gael Clichy

IT WAS at Arsenal where Cole made his name.

He was a potent, but raw, attacking force as a full-back, although he has instilled more defensive discipline into his game since. Until now, few can claim to be better than Cole in his position.

Clichy is almost a mirror image of Cole.

He has pace, tackles well, and joins in the attack with real purpose.

Perhaps the Gunners are just blessed with great full-backs.

Sol Campbell v Thomas Vermaelen

NEVER mind what others say about his character. On the field, Campbell was a rock in defence.

He was part of the foundation on which Wenger built his attacking philosophy around.

Vermaelen, signed during pre-season, has already convinced many that he can lead the Arsenal backline for many years to come.

Reliable defensively, the Belgian centre-back has an eye for goal too, with already five to his credit.

Kolo Toure v William Gallas

HE WAS never impressive as a midfielder. But in defence, Toure was a class act.

Wenger's decision to convert him into a defender in the 2003/04 season, partnering Campbell in the middle, was an inspired one.

Gallas, on the other hand, took some time to convince the fans. He may not be a true leader on the field, but his ability, experience and composure at the back is a crucial element in the current side.

It may seem ridiculous to suggest this is his last season, but Arsenal could struggle to replace him if Gallas encounters injury problems.

Lauren v Bacary Sagna

LIKE Clichy and Cole, many regard Lauren and Sagna as similar type of players.

Equipped with endless amounts of energy, they often surge forward to support the attack.

A long-term knee injury in 2006 saw Lauren eventually lose his place in the team, and he left for Portsmouth a year later.

Sagna will be hoping he gets better luck in his Arsenal career.

Jens Lehmann v Manuel Almunia

LEHMANN may be prone to the odd silly mistake. But his huge influence at the back was undeniable.

His confidence spread to the defence. In the 2003/04 campaign, Arsenal had the best defence in the Premiership - they conceded just 26 goals.

Almunia, however, is considered by many to be the weakest link in the current side.

One moment, he can be pulling off stupendous saves, and the next he is beaten at his near post.

On The Bench

2003/04 bench (The gang of Edu, Ray Parlour, Antonio Reyes and Sylvain Wiltord) v 2009/10 bench (The gang of Tomas Rosicky, Eduardo, Samir Nasri, Emmanuel Eboue)

The likes of Reyes and Wiltord were great players on their day, but were plagued by inconsistency during their Arsenal career.

The current crop of three or four fringe players, however, have something in common. Most believe that they will be in the starting 11 had they not been troubled by injuries.

This certainly is the case for Eduardo, Rosicky and Nasri.

If we're talking about looking to the bench to provide that one bright attacking spark to turn a game, then Wenger will have better options now than previously.

* The current team is selected based on the number of starts made by each player in all competitions, also taking into consideration injuries, as well as the amount of players each department can accommodate.