Mikel Arteta urges Arsenal fans NOT to compare his team to the Invincibles – despite the Gunners’ current run bettering that of Arsene Wenger’s side

Mikel Arteta said his Arsenal side shouldn’t be compared to the Invincibles until they win major silverware — even though they are on track to beat their points tally.

Since the Spaniard took over in December 2019, the Gunners have only won the FA Cup and finished runners-up in three consecutive Premier League seasons.

Yet the north London club have 48 points and scored 40 goals after 20 league matches, which is more than the 46 points and 36 goals the 2004 Invincibles side had at the same stage.

The historic team are the only side to date to go unbeaten for a full league season.

When asked about the statistical comparison, Arteta said: ‘No (it doesn’t mean we are better), because the Invincibles won a lot, and they won consistently and created a history and a legacy. We have to do that.

‘Obviously, there are a lot of stats, but in the last two or three years, as well, we’ve had stats and more points and more goals in history.

The 2003-4 team had fewer points and scored fewer goals than the current Arsenal side at this stage of the season

‘At the end we have to translate that to major trophies and that’s what we want to do.

‘Probably now what we are doing would have been enough (in previous seasons), but now it’s not enough and we have to make the margins even bigger. That’s what we have to do.’

Arteta confirmed that Riccardo Calafiori and Cristhian Mosquera are out injured for Thursday’s match against Liverpool.

Mosquera has an ankle injury, while Calafiori’s issue is unspecified.