The Untouchables - Are Pep's Manchester City side the best in Premier League history?

After rolling over Everton at Goodison Park, Manchester City are one win away from history. A win in the Manchester Derby in the coming weekend will secure the Premier League title in record time. Right now Pep's men side sit 16 points clear with eight games to go, and the margin has been substantial for most of the campaign. While everyone below them has been dropping points, City have been winning football matches. Only losing one game all season, and drawing just three, the so far illusive 100 point mark is within their grasp. A minimum of five wins and one draw will make The Citizens the first Premier League side to ever hit 100 points, but will it make them the best?

Pep Guardiola was called a fraud by many after his lacklustre first season in charge of City, and now on for a potential treble, he's left his neigh-sayer's red in the face. The question of the best of all time is thrown around way too often in football. Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo dominates the conversation in the minds of modern day football fans. But with so many changes in style football has undergone over the years, picking the best of all time is a tall order. However, with the Premier League starting in 1992, only 26 years ago, picking the best Premier League side of all time is much more accomplishable.

THE INVINCIBLES!

That is what any Arsenal fan reading this article would have been screaming since they clicked on it. I went into a lot of detail in an article I had published at THE VERSED (FKA Clickon Sports) about why the Invincible's were not as great as you remember. That same article was posted on this blog last October so feel free to click off this and give it a read but to quickly put this argument to rest. A lack of points when compared to other champions. A lack of goals when compared to other champions. A style of play towards the end of the campaign which SCREAMED fear of losing. Speaking of losing, LOSING the biggest game of the season in the Champions League to Chelsea. If you aren't convinced check out my full article on the matter, but although historic, Arsenal's Invinicbles are not the greatest. Sorry.

Now that's out the way let me explain why I believe Pep's City have a very strong case.

Anyone with a footballing brain can appreciate how Guardiola not only manages his side, but
coaches individual players on how to reach their full potential. Raheem Sterling being a prime example. Since the 2013/2014 season at Liverpool, Sterling has floundered, living off of his potential. Rumours off a move to Arsenal in part exchange for Alexis at the start of the season added more fuel to the fire. But now, with the current season still going strong, Sterling is enjoying his best year yet. A guaranteed starter with over 20 goals this campaign, and a shoe in for the World Cup. His erratic movements have been replaced with finely timed and methodically thought out runs. His sloppy final balls it no more, 16 league goals speaks for itself. Perhaps more clearly then any other player, Guardiola has been there to put an arm around the young winger and keep guiding him. Whether in training or mid way through a match, an arm around the shoulder and words of encouragement makes any player feel like gold. Sterling oozes confidence, and it is no coincidence that it coincides with Pep getting is team to play his way.

Speaking of Pep's way. City's Brazilian keeper Ederson was quoted stating that his side's tactics bring joy to all football fans. And he isn't wrong. An incredibly high pressing style, reminiscent of that of Pep's Barcelona side, forces opposition into submission. Keeping the ball away from their goal, and in the rare occasion Ederson does find the ball in his possession, a 60 yard cross field pass is one of the many strings to his bow. David Silva has been having a career defining season in midfield, when many tipped him to be on the way out. A Spaniard over looked for years in the Premier League now can not be ignored. Alongside Fernandinho who has been consistently solid, sometimes going un-noticed but never in a bad way. Of course the talisman Kevin De-Bruyne running the show will draw the headlines, and rightfully so, he's sublime. But every single player in the starting eleven is there because they fit the system. Sane and Sterling have been untouchable down the wings, and are leaps and bounds ahead of where they were 12 months ago.

You can criticise City for 'buying the league' but instead of just throwing money at star names like Arsenal and Manchester United have done this season, they've spend big on players who make their system fit. £50 million on a right back is ludicrous right? Is it when Kyle Walker has been comfortably the best wing back in the league all season and has been a nightmare of any opposition flank that has came across him. The same to be said about £60 million on a centre back right? Laporte has slotted into a defence that has been the stand out this campaign, after being called out for being shaky over the last couple of years. Very little has been spent going forward, and that's because Pep KNEW where the weaknesses were, and fixed them. Yes he had the financial means to bring in the best players, but so do Arsenal and they're in 6th. Pep and his team also has the tactical know how to spot and bring in appropriate targets.

Now into some good old fashion statistics. As mentioned, a win for City this coming week would mean they have secured the title quicker then any other side in Premier League history, which is historic in itself. Also as I mentioned, the form table would indicate that the champions will finish with over 100 points for the first time in Premier League history. Which wasn't even done in the old 42 game season format. Moving away from points. If the season was the end right now, they would have scored more then any of the champions from the last four years. And remember there is seven games to play, the record is in sight. 103 goals is the current record, held by Chelsea's 2010 title winning side. An average of two goals a game would ensure they beat that amount; so far they've averaged 2.8 per game. Switching lanes to defence, City would have to concede 8 more goals between now and the end of the season to end with the joint best defence of the decade. Any less and of course they'd end as the best defensive champions in recent times. With an average of 0.6 goals conceded per game, it's likely they'll hold that record as well.

So broken down, the stats point to Manchester City's 2017/2018 team - Winning the Premier League title, finishing with over 100 points which has never been done before, as well as winning it with 6 games to spare which is a record. On top of that - breaking the record for most Premier League goals scored in a season, and registering the best defensive record in the past decade (fourth best record for the champions this century.)

Now moving away from stats. City play with a style that is eye catching, and enjoyable for any football fan to take in. A style similar to that of the great Barcelona side of 2009-2011, said to be the best club side in European history. During a season when some of England's big guns have been torn apart by the media for playing unattractive and boring football, Pep's men have not only been entertaining, but incredible efficient. One league defeat makes them the second most winningest side currently in Europe's top five leagues this season, only behind the unbeaten Barcelona. With English football under constant scrutiny recently, Manchester City are a shining light. World class players from back to front. World beaters like KDB and Sergio Aguero. Breakthrough superstars like Sane, Sterling and Jesus. Proven masters such as David Silva and Vincent Kompany, The Citizens have it all.

A Champions League quarter final Wednesday 5th April is so far Pep's and City's biggest game of the season, a huge test away at Anfield. A reply of the one Premier League fixture they have lost this season. Nearly impossible to call (But I did, check out my most recent article). But win, lose or draw in Europe, a domestic season to remember Manchester City have put in. The best side in Premier League history? It's hard to argue against it.

Manchester City 3-0 Arsenal - WHAT JUST HAPPENED?

The first major piece of silverware in the English game was up for grabs at Wembley as Arsenal and Manchester City battled it out for the Carabao Cup. Pep looking for his first piece of silverware of his managerial career in England. And Wenger looking to secure his first League Cup winners medal after twenty two years in charge of Arsenal.

Both sets of fans were in full voice on a sunny yet cold day in London, and it was the Londoners with the first chance of the game. Jack Wilshere latching onto a long ball, the ball eventually found Mesut Ozil who played it across to an unmarked Aubameyang. Somehow Arsenal's record signing failed to beat Claudio Bravo from point blank range, not once but twice. Well saved but he must score. Aubameyang struggled throughout the game to get away from Vincent Kompany. City's captain proving able to deal with the Gabonese striker along the ground, shoulder to shoulder and in the air. This being the only real chance the £60 million man had all game.

The first big chance fell to the Gunners, but all of the game was with City. David Silva in particular, who was untouchable all night, pulling the strings. And the Spaniard slipped a ball down Arsenal's right channel for Aguero to latch onto, the Argentine hitting the side netting. Speaking of City's number 10. Following a Claudio Bravo goal kick, Mustafi went up with Aguero to win the first header, but the German was easily out muscled. Poor from the big centre back as Aguero closed in on goal. Ospina's positioning was all wrong, in no mans land as the ball bounced towards him. Making Sergio's decision that much easier for him, taking it on the bounce and lifting it over the keeper and into an empty net. His 199th goal in his Manchester City career. Since day one Sergio Aguero has been loved by fans of the Citizens, and his stock is only growing higher. 1-0.

Jack Wilshere, Arsenal born and bred, the Englishman was the best player on the park for Arsenal. Winning a number of free-kicks in dangerous positions in City's half. But far to often wasted by Ozil. Who again will come under criticism for being invincible in a big game. Fernandinho was tasked with dealing with the German during the first 45 minutes and he made it look easy. Gundogan, another member of City's midfield who was sublime on the night. He makes the game look so easy at times and Arsenal didn't have an answer, even with Pep's side not even out of second gear. The German international has been growing more and more into his role since returning from injury. A brilliantly whipped ball onto the head of Kompany showed exactly how. The header going over the bar.

During the first 45 minutes Arsenal couldn't even get close to City. Chasing sky blue shadows. With the Premier League leaders nowhere near their best. Arsenal has cause for concern.

As the second half started it was like the first half had never ended. Manchester City still dominating the ball. On commentary it was mentioned how it hasn't been since 1999 that a final has finished 1-0. And just like that, City had one hand on the cup. Kevin De Bruyne fired a corner hard and low, into Gundogan on the edge of the box. Something off the training ground as the German took the shot of first time. He didn't catch it quite right however but on hand was club captain Vincent Kompany to poke home. Doubling City's lead. The man who has lifted this cup twice in the last five years was well on his way to lifting it again. A fan favourite, a club icon. The Belgian has been through hard times as of late. Injury after injury seemingly see his place in the City side become less of a certainty. But he steps up in the big game once again.

Now City were cooking on gas. They'd gone from second gear in the first half, to top gear and showed no signs of slowing down. For me the star man on the night, David Silva, managed to wiggle away from Callum Chambers with a brilliant first touch. Letting it run with his right before striking across goal with his left with complete accuracy. Ospina could only hope as he fell to his left hand side, for the ball to nestle in the bottom corner. The three eldest statesmen of this great City side. Three of the men there from the start of this great journey, and they all struck in the final. Aguero, Kompany and now David Silva. In this case six players around Silva couldn't stop him getting his shot off, Arsenal were being outclassed. Silva scoring in his third successive league cup final.

City played out the final 20 minutes in complete control. The game was won and they could afford to rest star men, Aguero making way for the returning Jesus. Once the final whistle was blown the majority of the Arsenal half of the stadium had already emptied. A walk in the park for the winners.

What we saw today was an example of two sides on completely different planets in every department. Had Arsenal been just outplayed by a superior Manchester City side, they would not be alone in that. Pep's men have blown away team after team this season. But that wasn't the case. Arsenal allowed themselves to be outplayed by showing a total lack of desire and character after going a goal down. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was supposed to be the answer to Arsenal's prayers following the departure of Alexis. (Check out my piece of why this isn't a great move for the Gunners.) And today he looked up for it for all of 35 minutes. He can be seen walking as the first half drew to a close, and he didn't come out for the second half. Aubameyang wasn't alone in this department. Mesut Ozil again went missing. On the back of signing a club record contract in January, he hasn't looked half the player we know he can be. Aaron Ramsey maybe let off as he was rushed back to play in this game, potentially not 100%. But the Welshman was part of the Arsenal side walking around the Wembley pitch while City played them off the park.

Desire, or lack of, was a huge factor in Arsenal folding to their opponents tonight, but a shambled of a defensive display didn't help their cause. For the first goal Mustafi 100% has to be stronger. Standing at over 6ft tall, with Aguero not even close to that, being nudged off of the ball as easily as he was is embarrassing. When you're the central defender in this position, you have to take authority. Aguero was gifted a goal. And from then on it was more of the same. Pass after pass from Silva, De Bruyne and Gundogan found it's way onto runners in blue. Arsenal's channels exposed countless times. Wenger lined his side up in the same way he did during last seasons FA Cup Semi-Final against Pep and Manchester City. However, this is not the same side. City found it far to easy to find space around the penalty area. Arsenal's defence found themselves running in circles.

One moment that must hurt for Arsenal fans, and all football fans was when a picture was snapped of an almost empty pitch at Wembley stadium. Only two feet planted on the turf, and those are the feet of Santi Cazola. Arsene Wenger really could have used to magic of Santi today. And with his career dwindling away, not playing in way over a year due to injury. Walking on the pitch, almost as if he wants the feeling of playing again. A truly horrible sight to see, one of Europe's greatest play makers.

Despite all of Arsenal's short comings today, the final belonged to Manchester City. Reasoning why Pep's side won't be talked about too much following their win is they were at no where near their best. 15 dazzling minutes around the hour mark, leading to Kompany's and Silva's goal but besides that, the didn't have to be at even 50%. This is a City side, without the injured Raheem Sterling. Gabriel Jesus only returning from injury in the dying minutes from the bench. Star shot stopper Ederson, who has been integral so far in his debut season didn't even feature on the night. Fabian Delph, who's had his career reborn by Pep in his new position at left back missed the final through suspension. So a Manchester City side, missing a number of key players, brushed aside Arsenal and made light work of it.

Following the game Kevin De Bruyne stated how this side aren't even close to the finished article yet, and that should send shivers down the spine of any side around Europe. With the Premier League title all but won, a maximum of five more wins will secure it, the League Cup locked up in the trophy cabinet again. Pep can put his focus on the Champions League. A 4-0 win away at Basel in the first leg of their round of 16 tie means they're all but into the next round. No one will want to draw Manchester City. A domestic double virtually sealed at this point, you wouldn't bet against a historic treble. The first treble by any English side since the red half of Manchester did it in 1999. (Only Barcelona and Inter Milan have done it across Europe since '99.) Should Manchester City join that elusive club, Pep is well within his rights to be called, potentially the greatest manager of his era.

Cup final day. The one day you'd think you can guarantee all 22 men on the pitch would give their all until the final whistle. Whether it was the quality of Manchester City driving the motivation from them. Or simply a poor attitude on the part of the men in red. Arsenal crumbled when City thrived. Congratulations Manchester City. Carabao Cup winners 2018.