Arsenal lose branding for 'Invincibles' after former player pays five-figure sum to purchase trademark

Arsenal have lost their 'Invincibles' branding after a former player purchased the trademark for a five-figure sum.

Arsenal are currently locked in a Premier League title race with Manchester City for a second successive season, looking to win the English top flight for the first time in 20 years.

The Gunners' title triumph of 2003-04 remains arguably the greatest achievement in the club's history, not least because they went the entire season without losing a single match.

Despite several close calls in recent years, no team has ever repeated the feat of Arsene Wenger's legendary side.

That squad will forever hold a place in Arsenal folklore, but the club will have to be careful as the 20th anniversary of the 'Invincibles' approaches.

That's because Jens Lehmann - goalkeeper of that title-winning team - has purchased the 'Invincibles' trademark, preventing any other brand from using the term, including his former club.

Lehmann began the process in late 2020 and it cost £30,000. According to the Daily Mail, Arsenal had never considered securing the trademark and were unaware that anyone had plans to do so.

"I had the idea because the name Invincibles becomes more and more popular approaching the 20th anniversary," Lehmann told the Mail.

"And nobody had it so I was looking into it. I was ready to get the branding rights for our group, so everybody who's using it is violating our brand."

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Lehmann said that he is now setting up a company to own the trademark, with the backing of 28 players and 12 members of staff including Wenger.

The former goalkeeper has been approached about making a documentary about the unbeaten Premier League champions, and he raised the possibility of staging an overseas tour and match against a Manchester United legends side.

Lehmann intends to donate all profits to charity.

"They [Arsenal] were probably a little surprised because nobody thought about having the brand name registered," Lehmann added.

"At least they know it’s now being controlled."

According to the Mail, Arsenal will not contest the trademark as doing so could result in a complex and messy legal case.