Interestingly, Arsenal are actually a better defensive side than this current Chelsea team, conceding just 0.68 goals per game whereas Mourinhos men average one per game. Whats more, the stats also show us that it was harder to go unbeaten in 2003-04 than it would be this season. The prime reason for that is the decline of Manchester United. Sir Alex Fergusons side could call on the likes of Roy Keane and Ryan Giggs as they continued their long duel with Arsenal to be top dogs, while they have not returned to their perch after the troubles of the past 18 months. Manchester City are far stronger now than a decade ago, but the likes of Newcastle and Aston Villa have regressed in that time. Also, Arsenal faced teams in form throughout the season. On average, teams had taken five points from their previous three games before they met Arsenal, while for Chelsea this season it has been 4.3. And the last factor that must be taken into account, the category which will split fans down the middle, is which manager deserves more credit for building their respective sides. Wenger – just – shades this category. Mourinho has shrewdly solved the issues in his side by bringing in Fabregas and Costa, but the majority of this squad was in place before he took over. Wenger, on the other hand, had brought in every member of the Invincibles bar Bergkamp. He also changed the positions and inexorably altered the careers of the likes of Henry, Kolo Toure and Lauren, while spending just €53.6m on his first-choice side. Mourinhos best XI – and the huge increases in TV money must be taken into account here - cost €274.4m. In addition, Wenger was forced to keep costs down to help fund the construction of the Emirates Stadium. Considering the challenges he faced – and the rise of Chelsea under Abramovich – it is surely the finest managerial feat in the Premier League. Now, though, we have to see if Chelsea can match it. But even if they do, they wont topple Arsenals Invincibles as the finest unbeaten team in English football.
Posted on: Fri, 21 Nov 2014 10:57:17 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015