26 September 2023 , 10:30
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Three straight Premier League titles, Champions League and FA Cup holders, and 18 points from 18 in the current campaign - the current Man City is already cemented among England's greatest club teams.
But whether or not they are THE greatest remains the subject of much debate, with many citing their financial power as the main catalyst for their success. And there is still one record they are yet to match, with Arsenal remaining the only Premier League side to have gone through a campaign unbeaten.
The 2003-04 'invincibles' under Arsene Wenger finished with 26 wins and 12 draws from 38 games, leaving them 11 points clear of runners up Chelsea. And spearheaded by the likes of Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira, memories of that famous season are enough to leave fans of the Gunners misty-eyed.
And one of Wenger's pivotal performers that season, Ray Parlour, has now weighed in on the comparisons between that side and Guardiola's current crop. And not only has he argued Arsenal would win, he's also made the case for two previous title winners being in the frame for the honour of 'best ever'.
"It's very hard to judge how a game between them would go," he told Lord Ping. "I think we'd give City a game and just nick it. I think 2-1 to Arsenal. You could go back to Manchester United's 1999 team or Mourinho's first Chelsea teams as they were very good as well."
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Parlour however, did concede there was at least one Man City star who would have got into that famous Arsenal XI: "I'd have to say Kevin de Bruyne would make our team.
"When he's on the ball, you know something's going to happen, just ask Erling Haaland. We had Dennis Bergkamp, who was similar, but you could give De Bruyne a free role in the side and great things would happen. Haaland would be another one, but we had Thierry Henry."
Man City won the treble under Pep Guardiola this season (Getty Images)HAVE YOUR SAY! Who would come out on top - the Arsenal Invincibles or this current Man City side? Comment below.
And the ex-England international, who made 466 appearances for the north London club, also outlined the two Arsenal stars he feels would feature for the current treble winners: "Pep Guardiola would have loved Viera," he added. "He was so important. If not him, Sol Campbell. He'd strengthen any back four."
Last season, Arsenal appeared in pole position to win a first title since that invincible success, but capitulated in the final weeks of the season and were overhauled by City. And now, Guardiola's men, are aiming to become the first side to capture four Premier League crowns in a row.
They've started like they again mean business. Despite losing key players in the summer, and a mounting injury list, City have won their opening six league games, with the Gunners four points off the pace.