Obi Mikel: Does Pep want to break Arsenal’s Invincibles record before he leaves Man City?

Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola attends the English FA Cup fourth round football match between Manchester City and Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northwest England, on January 27, 2023. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)

There’s been some talk that the upcoming 2024–25 season might be Pep Guardiola’s final one with Manchester City. Among us Gooners, we’ve been discussing how Arteta and his team can prevent him from winning his fifth consecutive Premier League title, but there’s also an intriguing claim about what the Spaniard truly desires.

According to former Blue John Obi Mikel, it seems that the Manchester City boss has his eyes set on equalling the record of the Arsenal invincibles. In the 2003–04 season, Arsene Wenger put together his strongest team and executed his tactics perfectly to achieve one of the most dominant campaigns in English football history. With 26 wins and 12 draws in that league campaign, Arsenal didn’t experience a single defeat as they went on to claim the league title.

“Robert Pires was part of the Invincibles team. And I don’t know if that record will ever be broken in the Premier League. I think that is one record that Pep Guardiola will really, really love to break,” Obi Mikel asserted on his podcast, responding to Arsenal legend Pire’s reflections on the challenge of surpassing the Invincibles’ record.

No other team in the Premier League has achieved invincibility. Many, like Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea, Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United, and now Guardiola’s Manchester City, have tried (and are trying), but none have been able to replicate it.

Guardiola, having achieved the same level of success as the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson by winning the treble with his Manchester City team in the 2022–23 season, is now aiming to surpass Wenger’s record and earn recognition as the Premier League’s greatest manager.

However, I really don’t think that would be on Arsenal’s radar. Mikel Arteta could pose a significant challenge to Guardiola’s quest for invincibility. After their 0-0 draw with Manchester City last season in the PL run-in, Arsenal faced criticism for not making a stronger effort to beat the Citizens, despite having the ability to do so. So, if our Gunners want to win the league, they’ve got to make it their mission to grab all six points from them.

That should definitely put an end to Guardiola’s dream of going invincible (if he leaves the Premier League as expected next summer).

Darren N


ADMIN COMMENT

So here are some simple rules which I must insist commenters follow….

You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.


CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, please contact us through this link