Why Man City are better than Arsenal’s invincibles

Man City’s barnstorming march to a second consecutive English Premier League title has led to inevitable comparisons to the division’s best ever outfits. The 198 points Pep Guardiola’s trailblazers have accumulated in becoming the first EPL side to win back to back titles since Manchester United achieved the feat a decade ago is the stuff of legend.
If, as expected, they subdue Watford in next weekend’s FA Cup final, they will have achieved an unprecedented domestic treble as they also beat Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final. So exactly how good is this Manchester City side?
Let’s start a three part series by determining how many of Pep’s Eleven would get into Arsene Wenger’s class of 2004.

1- Jens Lehman v EDERSON:
The giant German was phenomenal for the Gunners but was blighted by a madcap element running in his veins. Though a better leader, I pick the Brazilian’s no thrills, cold blooded efficiency ahead of Lehman’s theatrical custodianship. The 20 clean sheets Ederson kept are the best since Petr Cech conceded just 15 goals in 2004/5.

2- Laurent Etame Mayer v KYLE WALKER:
Cameroonian Mayer was splendid for Arsenal after he was converted to right back after arriving from Mallorca as a midfielder. His near 100 percent conversion rate from penalties was a major boon. However, I would go with Kyle Walker. The Three Lion followed up a splendid World Cup by once again having a faultless season as a marauding full back.

3- ASHLEY COLE v Oleksandr Zinchenko:
Ashley Cole is the best left back in the Premier League era. That just about tells you everything. Young Zinchenko has delivered above expectations, atoning for Benjamin Mendy’s injuries and Fabian Delph’s stop-start season but there is no contest with Cole. Easy choice.

4- Kolo Toure v AYMERIC LAPORTE:
Ivorian workaholic Kolo Toure was splendid for Arsenal after being converted into a centre-back, posting a spotless season as the Gunners ended unbeaten. All the same, I pick Frenchman Laporte, who has been the second best defender this season after Professional Footballers Association (PFA) footballer of the year Virgil van Dirk.

5- SOL CAMPBELL v Vincent Kompany:
The principal difference between these two was that Sol Campbell was an ever present behemoth for Arsene Wenger whereas Captain Fantastic Kompany has shared the role with Argentine Nicholas Otamendi and John Stones. Man mountain Campbell edges out Kompany for durability.

6- FERNANDINHO v Gilberto Silva:
An Arsenal fan alleged that Fernandinho didn’t even breath the same air as Gilberto. I agreed. I told him Fernandinho breathes oxygen to turn on his afterburners whereas Gilberto was content with hydrogen. Truth is, Fernandinho has been monumental for City in the last two years. Difficult choice.

8- PATRICK VIEIRA v Ilkay Gundogan:
Arsenal’s talismanic captain Patrick Vieira would get into my line up for the best XI of the Premier League era. No disrespect to Gundogan, who has come on in leaps and bounds; and is the more creative player. But Vieira’s leadership was simply colossal.

7- BERNARDO SILVA v Frederick Ljungberg:
Stretch your memory a bit to remind yourself whether flying Swede Ljungberg was on the shortlist for PFA footballer of the year. On the other hand, such has been Silva’s blinding form, he could have won the whole thing. The little Portuguese has everything: heart, stamina, technical proficiency, tactical awareness and eye for goal.

9- SERGIO AGUERO v Sylvain Wiltord:
This season Sergio Aguero has already netted 32 times, 21 of which came in the English Premier League. He also became the first player since, well, Thierry Henry, to score 20 or more goals in five consecutive seasons. Need I say more?

10- THIERRY HENRY v David Silva:
City’s Silva has been overshadowed by his Portuguese namesake whereas Thierry Henry was simply the most devastating striker in the Premier League in his heyday. Statistics aside, I consider Henry the best striker of the EPL era. The Frenchman takes his position in my combined XI hands down.

11- RAHEEM STERLING v Robert Pires:
It’s a measure of how far Sterling has come that he was runner up in the PFA footballer of the year awards. The little Three Lion has redefined wing play to include tracking back, scoring goals and maintaining tactical shape. It was easy to be a winger in Robert Pires’ days.
There you are. Just four Arsenal players would get into Pep Guardiola’s starting eleven. Besides, these City players are dominating the Premier League at a time when there are FIVE other BIG teams considered their rivals whereas Arsenal’s Invincibles only had Manchester United as their rivals.