Quick verdict: Arsenal's 2003/04 Invincibles and Manchester City's 2017/18 Centurions are the two benchmarks of Premier League excellence. Arsenal never lost a league game; City set records for points, wins and goals. Wenger's side was a devastating counter-attacking team, Guardiola's a possession machine, and both redefined what was possible in English football.
Comparing teams from different eras is always a debate rather than a calculation, but the records give a solid starting point.
| Arsenal 2003/04 | Manchester City 2017/18 | |
|---|---|---|
| Record (W-D-L) | 26-12-0 | 32-4-2 |
| Points | 90 | 100 |
| Goals scored | 73 | 106 |
| Goals conceded | 26 | 27 |
| Top league scorer | Thierry Henry (30) | Sergio Agüero (21) |
Source: final Premier League tables for 2003/04 and 2017/18.
1. Wenger's Invincibles: Speed and Control
Arsenal played a 4-4-2 built on pace and technique. Patrick Vieira and Gilberto Silva controlled midfield, Robert Pires and Freddie Ljungberg attacked from wide, Dennis Bergkamp linked play, and Thierry Henry was the most dangerous counter-attacker in Europe.
Their strength was the transition: winning the ball and reaching the opposition box in a few passes.
2. Guardiola's Centurions: Domination by Possession
City pinned opponents in their own half. Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva created from the half-spaces, Fernandinho protected the defence, Leroy Sané and Raheem Sterling stretched the pitch, and Sergio Agüero finished chances. They became the first Premier League team to reach 100 points.
3. How They Would Match Up
City would likely have more of the ball, and Arsenal would be happy to let them, waiting to break through Henry and Pires. The key battle would be City's high line against Arsenal's speed in transition, and whether Vieira and Gilberto could stop De Bruyne and Silva receiving between the lines.
4. The Verdict
City's numbers are greater; Arsenal's achievement of going a whole league season unbeaten has still never been matched in the Premier League era. Both teams belong at the very top of any list of the competition's greatest sides.
Further reading
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Arsenal's Invincibles ever lose?
Arsenal did not lose a Premier League match in 2003/04, finishing with 26 wins and 12 draws. They did lose in the cup competitions that season.
How many points did Manchester City's Centurions get?
Manchester City won the 2017/18 Premier League with 100 points, a record, scoring 106 goals.
Who scored the most goals for each team?
Thierry Henry scored 30 league goals for Arsenal in 2003/04, and Sergio Agüero scored 21 for Manchester City in 2017/18.