5 reasons why Manchester City can match Arsenal's 'Invincibles' 

Ever since Arsenal won the Premier League in 2003-04 without losing a game, that team became the league's most iconic winners ever and to this day, the tag 'Invincibles' raises visions of scintillating football, unforgettable goals and a spirit that has never been matched since.

Since then there have been plenty of pretenders, who might have looked good but eventually, they lost. For instance, back in 2014-15, Chelsea were widely tipped to go unbeaten The Blues had gone 14 games unbeaten until the beginning of December but then slumped to their first defeat to Newcastle in their 15th game to end the possibility of going unbeaten.

This year, however, Pep Guardiola's Manchester City started the season brilliantly and have won 11 out of their 12 games so far, drawing the other one against Everton back in August. Since then, they have looked imperious and in spite of the fact that Guardiola has brushed aside any suggestion of going unbeaten, City look like a side that have the ingredients to emulate Arsenal's achievement.

In the end, it might not happen but there are some compelling reasons why it could. Here is a look at 5 reasons why it could happen.

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#5 Squad depth

Like Arsenal back in 2003-04, Manchester City are also involved in 4 competitions including the UEFA Champions League and considering the fact how hectic it can get as the season wears on, it is quite possible for good teams to run out of steam. Hence, it does not take much for a defeat or two to come along in spite of the quality in the team and hence, Manchester City's immense squad depth is a compelling reason why they could go through the league season without dropping a game.

The club spent heavily over the past two seasons and have created one of the most complete squads in the Premier League in recent memory. For instance, if David Silva isn't available then Bernardo Siva can step on to his shoes seamlessly or if midfield enforcer Fernandinho isn't available then German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan is just as good a replacement. A player like Yaya Toure can do the job in the cup games.

This is a pattern that is replicated all across the eleven and even the absence of captain and central defender Vincent Kompany has hardly been felt since John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi have proven themselves to be just as good. This sort of squad depth will allow City to weather the storm when there is a fixture pile up and help them in staving off defeat for as long as possible.

#4 A splendid midfield

Kevin de Bruyne has been sublime in midfield this season

The midfield is the most important aspect of any successful football team and there has never been a Premier League winning team, who have not had excellent midfielders at the heart of the pitch. Arsenal's Invincibles were blessed with the presence of the Brazilian Gilberto Silva, who could screen the defence and make short passes to the attackers, while Frenchman Patrick Vieira was an all-action central midfielder who had the ability to dominate the midfield like no other.

So is the case with Manchester City, who have created a midfield dynamic that allows them to dominate the heart of the pitch against most teams. In Fernandinho, they have a midfielder who can do a similar job as Gilberto and in fact, he is perhaps the only midfielder who can be as good as Chelsea's N'Golo Kante on a consistent basis.

On the other hand, the likes of David Silva and Kevin de Bruyne provide an attacking thrust that can completely overwhelm the best midfield talents on their day and so far they have decisively won the midfield battles in all games that they have played. Like Arsenal's legendary team and Pep Guardiola's very own world-beating Barcelona team of the past, City have also created a midfield that can make this team one of the best in Premier League history.

#3 Favourable winter fixtures

City have players fit to breeze past the winter schedule

The fixtures are generated by a computer but it seems that it has all aligned perfectly for Manchester City during a season in which they look quite unstoppable and looking at their fixture list during the crucial festive period (and beyond), it is hard to disagree that they would not have a decent crack at avoiding defeat over the next 26 games.

From now until the 27th game week, City will have only three relatively tough games against the 'big clubs'. They play Manchester United away on 10th December and Spurs on 16th December, but then have a kind schedule right up to the 27th game week (barring the exception of Liverpool away on 14th of January).

The winter or festive fixtures during which teams often have to play four times in around ten days has often proven to be a stumbling block for many teams. League titles have often been lost due to a slump in this period and considering City's kind schedule, it should come as a welcome development for the club.

According to a BBC study, Arsenal will have the kindest schedule during this run in as their four games will be spread out over 290 hours and City will have the third most relaxed schedule, with a time span of 246.75 hours separating those four games. Considering their squad depth and kinder schedule, it must be a big boost to their quest of going unbeaten this season.

#2 Can anyone really stand up and defend their style of football?

City have been irresistible in front of goal this season

The thing with great football teams which go on to achieve something out of the ordinary is that they often demoralise opponents early on in the game by playing a brand of football that can make have a detrimental effect. Thierry Henry often said that opposing teams often felt intimidated when they took on that Arsenal team in the 2003-04 season and before long, the sort of football they played overwhelmed the opponents.

Arsenal used to be up and running and many games used to be decided in the first half. Similarly, Manchester City have found an attacking verve that is right up there with the best-attacking sides that the league has ever seen and like the Invincibles, they are often flatten opponents early on through their relentless passing combinations.

However, the statistics so far is even better than what the Invincibles recorded. In the 12 games that they have played so far, City have scored 40 times at an astonishing rate of 3.3 per game and have a goal difference of 33 in the league.

They are on track to score in excess of 120 plus goals in the league and that is something that would stand as a record for a long time. On the other hand, City's irresistible attacking football is complimented with an equally sturdy defensive structure and so far, the team has only conceded 6 times (an own goal has been ignored) in the league. Such numbers are potentially record-breaking ones and it would not comes as a big shock if they do go on to emulate the Invincibles.

#1 Pep Guardiola

The architect

Manchester City pursued Pep Guardiola for years since they believed that in order to get to the next level and become a European powerhouse, they needed the services of arguably the world's best coach. After a disappointing season in 2016-17, in which City failed to win any trophies, Guardiola plugged the gaps in the squad at considerable expense and has turbocharged the club into playing the sort of football that has rarely been witnessed in the English top flight.

City are the frontrunners to win the league and have already opened up an 8-point gap over the 2nd placed Manchester United at the top of the table. However, if any manager is capable of emulating Arsene Wenger's stupendous achievement with Arsenal all those years ago, then it is Guardiola.

He is an incredibly competitive manager and although he has dismissed the suggestions of going unbeaten through the league season, it is almost certain that it is on his agenda. Guardiola's ability to build superb attacking models and outwit opponents while retaining his attacking approach will be vital if City are to end their league campaign without a loss.