Robert Pires has claimed Arsenal’s ‘Invincibles’ had ‘more talent and spirit’ than the current Manchester City team.
The likes of Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira and Dennis Bergkamp helped the Gunners go through the entire 2003-04 Premier League season without losing a single game.
Comparisons have been drawn with that Arsenal side and the current City team, who are currently 15 points clear at the top of the table and going strong in the Champions League.
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Pep Guardiola’s side looked on course to emulate the ‘Invincibles’ incredible feat this season, before they suffered defeat to Liverpool at Anfield in January.
Despite City’s success this season, Pires believes they are no match for the former Arsenal side, telling BT Sport: ‘I think we had more talent. More aggression. More warriors. More spirit.
‘Why do I say spirit? Because when you play in England, you need English players.
‘[Today’s] Arsenal are missing that a little bit, I think. This is just my opinion. I love the squad, I love the players. But in the future it will be very important to buy English players.
‘We talk about the Invincibles season. If you see the English players – Sol Campbell, Ashley Cole, Ray Parlour – they were warriors, and you need warriors on your team.’
Pires, who scored 14 league goals and provided seven assists during the 2003-04 campaign, added: ‘Even for Man City, if you see the name on the paper, you can say: “Yeah, Man City, I think they will win the title unbeaten”.
‘But look what’s happened. It was an amazing achievement. It’s very difficult to win the Premier Legaue but to win it unbeaten – amazing. I’m not arrogant but yeah, it’s unbelievable. It’s a great record.’
Guardiola will hope to win his first title as City boss on Sunday when his side face Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final.
Manchester City have taken almost 30 more points than Arsenal from their 27 league games this season but Pires remains hopeful that his former side can cause an upset.
‘I hope – I wish! I always believe in Arsenal,’ he said. ‘I’m always positive when I talk about Arsenal.
More: Football
‘Sometimes it’s very difficult, sometimes the team has problems and trouble during the season, but it’s a final.
‘On one side you have Man City and on the other you have Arsenal. I don’t know who the favourite is. This is one game. A final. Wembley. So everything is possible.
‘Look what’s happened this week – Wigan beat Man City. It was of course a surprise – but this is football.’
MORE: Paul Merson names the only Arsenal player who can hurt Manchester City
Robert Pires has claimed Arsenal’s ‘Invincibles’ had ‘more talent and spirit’ than the current Manchester City team.
The likes of Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira and Dennis Bergkamp helped the Gunners go through the entire 2003-04 Premier League season without losing a single game.
Comparisons have been drawn with that Arsenal side and the current City team, who are currently 15 points clear at the top of the table and going strong in the Champions League.
More: Football
Pep Guardiola’s side looked on course to emulate the ‘Invincibles’ incredible feat this season, before they suffered defeat to Liverpool at Anfield in January.
Despite City’s success this season, Pires believes they are no match for the former Arsenal side, telling BT Sport: ‘I think we had more talent. More aggression. More warriors. More spirit.
‘Why do I say spirit? Because when you play in England, you need English players.
‘[Today’s] Arsenal are missing that a little bit, I think. This is just my opinion. I love the squad, I love the players. But in the future it will be very important to buy English players.
‘We talk about the Invincibles season. If you see the English players – Sol Campbell, Ashley Cole, Ray Parlour – they were warriors, and you need warriors on your team.’
Pires, who scored 14 league goals and provided seven assists during the 2003-04 campaign, added: ‘Even for Man City, if you see the name on the paper, you can say: “Yeah, Man City, I think they will win the title unbeaten”.
‘But look what’s happened. It was an amazing achievement. It’s very difficult to win the Premier Legaue but to win it unbeaten – amazing. I’m not arrogant but yeah, it’s unbelievable. It’s a great record.’
Guardiola will hope to win his first title as City boss on Sunday when his side face Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final.
Manchester City have taken almost 30 more points than Arsenal from their 27 league games this season but Pires remains hopeful that his former side can cause an upset.
‘I hope – I wish! I always believe in Arsenal,’ he said. ‘I’m always positive when I talk about Arsenal.
More: Football
‘Sometimes it’s very difficult, sometimes the team has problems and trouble during the season, but it’s a final.
‘On one side you have Man City and on the other you have Arsenal. I don’t know who the favourite is. This is one game. A final. Wembley. So everything is possible.
‘Look what’s happened this week – Wigan beat Man City. It was of course a surprise – but this is football.’
MORE: Paul Merson names the only Arsenal player who can hurt Manchester City
