Ultimate dream: Super Eagles legend Mikel Obi discloses the one unbreakable record Guardiola desires
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Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola || Image credit: Imago

Ultimate dream: Super Eagles legend Mikel Obi discloses the one unbreakable record Guardiola desires

Izuchukwu Akawor • Izuchukwu Akawor • 11:35 - 21.08.2024

Super Eagles icon Mikel Obi believes that there is a Premier League record that may never be broken, even for a manager as accomplished as Pep Guardiola.

Super Eagles legend John Mikel Obi has weighed in on Arsenal's legendary Invincibles squad, 20 years after they wrote their names into Premier League history, going the entirety of the 2003-04 campaign undefeated.

Despite the continued dominance of Manchester City under Pep Guardiola in recent seasons, the Gunners' historic achievement remains one of the most impressive and unbreakable records in English top-flight football.

In a recent episode of his podcast, Nigerian legend Mikel Obi discussed the longevity of Arsenal's feat.

"The invincibles, I don't know when that (record) is going to ever be broken," Obi stated. When pressed by his co-host on whether he thinks the record will ever be matched, the former Chelsea and Middlesbrough midfielder was doubtful.

The Arsenal Invincibles happened 20 years ago. (Photo Credit: Imago)
The Arsenal Invincibles happened 20 years ago. (Photo Credit: Imago)

"In the Premier League? I don't know. I think that is one record Pep Guardiola really would love to break - the unbeaten record."

While Guardiola's Manchester City teams have come the closest to replicating Arsenal's Invincibles season, their efforts have ultimately fallen short.

Mikel Obi speaks on the Arsenal Invincibles.
Mikel Obi speaks on the Arsenal Invincibles.

City's 2017-18 squad set the record for the most points in a single Premier League season with 100 and then followed it with another wonderful feat as they became the first team in England to win a domestic treble with a massive 98 points.

Furthermore, Guardiola has also guided the Cityzens to become the first team in PL history to win four successive league titles, including joining an exclusive list of teams to have won a treble.

Pep Guardiola became the first coach in history to win four consecutive Premier League titles | X(Premier League)

However, despite City's sustained excellence and domestic hegemony, the Spaniard has not been able to match Arsenal's unprecedented unbeaten run under PL legend Arsene Wenger.

Guardiola's team went 21 games unbeaten to start the 2017-18 season before suffering their first defeat against Liverpool in January 2018.

Mikel Obi with former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger || Image credit: Instagram

No other Premier League side has come close to matching Arsenal's 2003-04 exploits, in which they won 26 and drew 12 of their 38 league games.

With the ever-increasing competitiveness of the Premier League, many pundits like Mikel Obi believe Arsenal's record may stand the test of time.

Manchester City claimed the 2022-23 Champions League

It's one of those records that just seems unreachable in the modern game, even though Pep and the other top managers will keep trying, but matching the Invincibles will be an incredibly difficult task.

As the years go by, Arsenal's Invincibles seem more and more like a feat that may never be replicated in the Premier League era. The sheer quality, consistency, and mental fortitude of Arsene Wenger's 2003/04 squad seems set to stand the test of time.