Arsene's Invincibles vs. Pep's Perfectionists | Which team is better?

Can Manchester City emulate Arsenal's remarkable 2003-04 achievement of going an entire season unbeaten and have Pep Guardiola's side claimed their crown of the best team in Premier League history?

Manchester City increased their staggering winning streak in the league to 16 matches at the weekend with a thumping 4-1 win against Tottenham and looked like a side that was going to have the title all but wrapped up by the time Big Ben chimes for the new year.

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It's not just the records being smashed or some of the quality opponents that have been comfortably brushed aside in the process that has been so mightily impressive about City this season - it's the style, skill and swagger that they have demonstrated whilst doing it. 

Questions are already being asked of whether Pep Guardiola's sensational side can emulate the phenomenal feet achieved by Arsenal in the 2003-04 season of going an entire Premier League campaign without losing a match.

Although City snatched Arsenal's winning streak record recently, I'm still struggling to imagine the unbeaten season being repeated as the Premier League is more arduous and gruelling than ever before - especially in the freezing winter months where weird results can pop up.

Even Guardiola has ruled it out; insisting that his side "will lose games".

However, the question that I'd love to know the answer to is if this City team could travel back in time to 2003 and face-off against The Invincibles, who would come out on top?

There is little doubt about who had the stronger defence in terms of personnel. 

Wenger had warriors in the heart of his defence with Kolo Toure and Sol Campbell as the regulars and Martin Keown offering back-up at centre-half; as well as the up-and-coming Ashley Cole and Lauren at full-backs. 

With a plethora of defensive talent like that, it is little surprise that Arsenal's backline was one of their biggest strengths in their invincible 03-04 campaign - only letting in 26 goals.

In stark contrast, City's biggest weakness - if you can really call it a weakness - is their defence.

Criticism has been hurled at players such as Nicolas Otamendi, Eliaquim Mangala and John Stones in the past and Captain Vincent Kompany has been plagued with injury problems for years. Midfielder Fabian Delph has also had to fill in at left-back for most of this season which isn't ideal for Guardiola.

Defending hasn't often been important for Guardiola's side in recent times though as they have been capable of blowing teams away with their blistering, devastating attack. 

David Silva, Raheem Sterling, Leroy Sane and Kevin De Bruyne have formed a frightening quartet, in behind the centre-forward, that are capable of terrifying opposing back-lines with defence-splitting passes and bamboozling intricate moves.

Their attacking talent are producing football that can genuinely be described as artistic as well as incredibly effective.

Of course Arsenal had the likes of Dennis Bergkamp, Robert Pires and Thierry Henry going forward and their footballing philosophy was also to perform attractive, passing play.

Let's also not forget that Wenger managed to assemble his squad on a much smaller budget. Guardiola splashed out £221.5m on new recuits in the last transfer window, whereas Wenger spent a much more modest £16.6m in the summer of 2003.

It's of course impossible to say which team would triumph in match, unless the invention of time travel is round the corner.

What can be said for sure though is we're witnessing something special at the Etihad. 

Are they better than The Invincibles? If they carry on as they are then they will be; they've scored more goals, taken more shots, faced less shots and accumulated more points than the The Invincibles at the same stage in 2003.

However, to keep it up for the remainder of the season will be a huge challenge for the Citizens; the consistency of Arsenal's '03 side was a big part of what made them so great.

If City can continue the work they've started though, they will be a better side than The Invincibles and I'm struggling to look beyond them as the best side ever to grace the Premier League.

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