Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has set a challenge for Manchester City to chase Arsenal.
Over the past two years in particular, such narrative has been the other way around, as the Gunners have fallen short of Pep Guardiola’s side in the Premier League title race.
Mikel Arteta narrowed the gap to just two points last season, missing out on delivering Arsenal’s first league title in 20 years by an agonising margin.
The stakes are even higher this term as there’s an understanding that this should be Arsenal’s year, with the prospect of City winning five in a row unimaginable.
John Obi Mikel says Arsenal achievement is impossible for Manchester City to beat
While it’s a possibility that the Gunners can take City’s throne this season, Chelsea legend John Obi Mikel suggested that Guardiola will never overturn one Arsenal triumph.
Speaking on The Obi One Podcast, the ex-Blues hero shared an ‘impossible’ verdict on City ever repeating Arsene Wenger’s Invincible legacy in the Premier League.
“Winning the treble is amazing but, going unbeaten in the Premier League? I can’t see that happening again,” Obi Mikel explained.
“It’s impossible to see that happening in the Premier League. The most demanding, the most difficult, the most physical league in the world, the best players are here, it’s hard to see that, I just can’t.”
The Nigerian was then given an ultimatum to choose between winning the domestic treble, as City and Manchester United have in the past, or going unbeaten for a season in the English top flight.
“I think going unbeaten the whole season in the Premier League and winning the treble, gun to my head to choose one. The record is the record, that’s why it still stands, and that’s why no one is able to break it.
“As good as Man City have been for the past four seasons, it’s impossible for them to go unbeaten, it’s impossible.”
Arsenal must achieve perfection to usurp Man City
Obi Mikel’s admission regarding the Invincibles will be echoed by Arsenal fans in particular, with the record upholding an almost untouchable reputation.
What is understood is that the Gunners must roam close to Wenger’s immortal season of 2003/04 to take the throne from City this term.
- READ MORE: Who are The Invincibles? Meet the Arsenal record-breakers who became Premier League legends
Last campaign, Arsenal lost five games and City lost three, with Guardiola’s side claiming their fourth consecutive title with a two-point advantage on Arteta’s squad.
In order to win the league with Guardiola at the helm of the 2022/23 treble winners, something close to perfection must be achieved, which only reinforces how impressive the 2003/04 season was.
Obi Mikel would rather be an Invincible than a treble winner, with the wild possibility there for Arteta’s squad to become either this term.
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