Are the Gunners England's best-ever club side?

Arsenal's blistering start to the season continued apace with a 4-1 thrashing of Leeds, a result that came on top of their 4-0 defeat of PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League.

Their mixture of lightning fast counter-attacking and patient possession football has swept all before them in the Premiership, and many are backing the Gunners to triumph in Europe as well.

Manchester United's all-conquering 1990s team, Liverpool's 1980s heroes, the Leeds side of the early 1970s and a host of others have all laid claim to the title of the best club side ever.

But has Arsene Wenger assembled a team to eclipse them all?

There is no doubt that this Arsenal team is a great side. But surely the time to be saying whether they are the best side of all time is at the end of the season. The true test is whether they can triumph in Europe.
Simon Turner, Preston, UK

I think Arsenal without a doubt have been the best team in England since the 'Busby Babes', and Thierry Henry has been amazing for them. I think if Henry ever quit football over racism in the game, it would be a big blow to English football!
Ian Lord, Stockport, England

Arsenal have plenty more to do before they can be called the greatest English club side. The United team of 1998-2000 were a class above anything, and if the match was worth winning, you can be sure they would win it.

A close second would be the United team of the early to mid 90's with Giggs and Kanchelskis on the wings, Ince and Keane controlling the middle and Cantona pulling the strings. Who share many similarities with the current Arsenal side.
Arsalan Syed, Sngland

Everyone has to accept the reality. I am sure Arsenal will be both England and European champions this season. You will see.
Abraham Abebe, Ethiopia

You cannot just be a great team just because you have broken records. You have to produce the silverware like Man Utd have done in the last decade - that is the significance of a great team.
Nin, India

Many people say that Man U of the 90s and Liverpool of the 80s are better teams than the current Arsenal team because they won more trophies. What a load of rubbish.

If this logic stands - the numbers of trophies won is a benchmark - than surely, the 47 games consecutive scoring record (who knows when they will stop) and no aways lost last year must equally be considered major achievements??

No other teams could get near to the sort of records that Arsene's army has been achieving, so they must be considered the best of all time. Best must be judged by the magical and mesmerising style and grace the team play, and not merely by counting the silverware.
Dave, Hong Kong

This side are an absolute treat to watch. Man Utd's dominance comes close and Arsenal have it all to do yet, but if they win the league again then we are all in debt to Mr Wenger. His side are playing football with the flair of the Brazilians and the efficiency of the Germans, at the speed unlike anything we have seen before.

What makes this side stand out is the threat from most positions. The masterful Pires is yet to take part in this tremendous outfit and when he does I think it will be a case of a master magician joining the magic circle.

Thank you Arsene for beginning to put London football back on the map in Europe. Real and co are aware how well Arsenal are playing, Morientes is quoted as saying that Arsenal are the side to avoid.

I believe they can keep the momentum going - this is spine tingling football to watch and I hope it stays this way at least for this season!
George, UK

Maybe not quite yet, but what a lot of people are saying is they need to be more consistent. Well, don't forget the "boring, boring Arsenal" that won them the title in '89 and '91. Four titles since 89, plus numerous other cups, equals pretty good consistency over the last decade and a bit, so maybe...just maybe.
Dave, Birmingham

This Arsenal team is playing dream football at the moment. It is a joy to watch them and I, as a passionate Liverpool fan, have been left scratching my bald head at the way they use the ball and work for each other and attack with such power, pace and skill.

Are they the best team ever in England? They have all the potential to be, with kids like Jermaine Pennant, who for any England under-21 follower is the best young hope we have. The future looks superb at Arsenal.

Let's not forget, this weekend's performance against Leeds was without the star performers of last season, Pires, Bergkamp and Ljungberg. We could be about to witness something very special from a very special team, let's all sit back and enjoy what without a doubt is the sexiest total football team in country.
Jags, Manchester

Arsenal are playing the best football ever to come from their club, but still have work to do to replace Man Utd as the dominant team in England. Man Utd won seven trophies in 10 years, Arsenal two in 10 years. So good luck to Man Utd and Arsenal in the Champions league and Premiership. I tip Man Utd to win the league.
Sanmi Thompson, UK

This is not just the best ever Arsenal team - it is the greatest ever English team. Liverpool in their heyday would not have coped with the pace of this Arsenal team, while Leeds under Bremner, would have been down to eight men after 20 minutes!

That leaves 1990s Man Utd team - and we beat them in 1998, without Henry, Pires, Ljungberg, Toure, Edu, Gilberto or Wiltord.

My opinion was upheld by the Leeds fans on Saturday - there was no anger, no booing as they watched their team outplayed and outclassed at fortress Elland Road - just resignation - so much so that the Arsenal fans from the "Highbury Library" were all that could be heard!
Steve Campbell, Witham, Essex

Arsenal are just on a lucky streak, their luck cannot last forever.
James Evans, Wales

I'm a devoted Gooner, always have been, and, much though it pains me, I have to agree with many of the comments made by Man U and Liverpool fans. I would say that this Arsenal team has the potential to be the greatest team ever.

On a pure statistical view point, we're close (most matches unbeaten, etc), but we lack the silverware from Europe and the domestic dominance of Utd and Liverpool.

Just a word to one or two of the more critical amongst you - Arsenal have won three consecutive titles (1930's) and, as for contributing to an England team, perhaps your have heard of Mr S Campbell, Mr D Seaman and Mr A Cole, not to mention Martin Keown and Ray Parlour?
Toby, London, England

I must be getting old, but Bobby Charlton, Dennis Law, Nobby Stiles et al - now there was a team!
Paul, USA (ex-pat)

Absolutely right. Arsenal are the best in modern football. They outclassed all the best team like Man Utd, Liverpool and Leeds. I used to be a Man Utd fan, but I felt insulted in supporting an average team. Now, up Gunners, Arsenal forever!
John, Manchester, UK

The best English team ever has to be the 1993-94 Manchester United side. Simply awesome!
Rhys, UK

Boring, boring Arsenal! Always were, always will be.
Danny Morgan, England

I'm going to be controversial. In terms of the best football an English team has ever played, I would say it was the Newcastle team under Kevin Keegan. Although they won nowt, which was very disappointing, I think their football would definitely match up to Arsenal's, even if they manage to throw away a 12-point lead. I'd love to see Asprilla against Henry though.
Fred, UK

The only team who have never been relegated from the top league. The only team to score in 47 consecutive league games. Not beaten away from home in a whole season� I could go on and on and on. Statistics do not lie and Arsenal are going to set a lot more landmarks that may never be broken.

To break a record that has stood for over seventy years is no mean achievement. Let's all be happy to have watched this team during our time.
Brian Mnau-Gyamfi, UK

Of course it's the best Arsenal team ever. The shattering of all of these records proves it. Even the best Liverpool and Manchester teams have never hit this kind of consistency and performance level. But the critics are right to point out that it means nothing if they can't win trophies, and that's where the question marks can be raised.

No matter how lucky it was, the Man Utd treble of 1999 was still a fantastic achievement. How do you better that? Make it a quadruple. As Wenger says, Arsenal want to win every competition they enter. A hell of a challenge, but I don't think this Arsenal side are afraid of a challenge, that's for sure!
Desert Gooner, Bahrain

Arsenal now are probably the best team that's ever played in the domestic league. In my opinion, the only team that could give them a game at the moment is Real Madrid.
Ian Gurney, Saudi Arabia

Oh, come on! You're saying that after merely 10 games in the season? They're good but the battle for the titles this season is far from over.
Luke, Poland

AZ from USA is right. Let's not get too excited about Arsenal just yet. If the scoring-in-every-game stats are a measure of greatness, why weren't we all talking about the Chesterfield side of 71 years ago? Let's see what Wenger's lot do in the Champions League before we start putting them above the Liverpool sides of the 70s and 80s and the Man Utd treble side.
Rob, Poland

This team has won the Premiership once! They were abject failures in Europe last year and have yet to show that they can compete, never mind dominate at the highest level. They have started the season well, but I for one will not be convinced until they can conquer Europe and dominate the domestic arena for more than 18 months. Best ever? I doubt it.
Richard, Kuwait

Great teams are not only about winning cups and awards; it's about playing a level of football that leaves you in awe of the game. Watching Arsenal play these days is to see football in its finest form, standing head-and-shoulders above their opponents. That's what makes them the best team on the pitch.

It also helps that they have some of the most gifted players who enjoy playing for the fans and make them a part of the game.
Ekram Khan, Bangladesh

Best team ever? Probably, at least in the context of the modern game. As an Arsenal fan for more than 30 years I cannot recall any side - and I include the likes of Liverpool, Nottingham Forest, Everton and Man Utd in this list - that attacked with such speed and flair, and from every position. Shades of Cruyff and total football spring to mind. More of the same please.
Martin Delahoussaye, USA

This, without doubt, has to be the greatest English team ever. Their quick, counter-attacking play is absolutely breathtaking. This Arsenal team will keep on breaking the records and when they win the Champions League they will be confirmed as the greatest ever English club.
Fanon Nyeya, United Kingdom

This Arsenal side is an awesome machine at present - pity they don't have any/ many players who can contribute to the success of England national team like Man Utd and Liverpool do.
Paul, Amsterdam, Netherlands

They are not the best ever. To take that mantle they have to show the quality of longevity. All the greats have to be at the top for a long time and dominate. That is even before you mention their inadequacies in Europe.

Can they beat the Real Madrid dream team? Real simply have better players - and soon they will be adding Vieira to the list - oops!
Ravi, England

It's more a French side with a few English players than a real English side. But they are a good side without doubt.
Thomas, Netherlands

I struggle to recall a side that had to achieve so little to have such plaudits heaped upon them. Yes, at this moment they are playing great football, but we're barely two months into the season and already people have them down as champions of everything.

It was PSV, not Real Madrid, Bayern or Inter. The domestic league has seven months to go, I wouldn't bet against them, but at the same time I wouldn't be surprised to see the wheels fall off in January either. Best English club side ever? Not by a long shot. Best Arsenal side ever, yes.
Jason Tew, England

What have they done? Fine, they won last season and are in good form this season, but they haven't achieved half the greatness of what Man Utd or Liverpool did?

They have to prove it by winning at least three consecutive league titles and at least the Champions League once, not mentioning the Treble, before they can be grouped under the best of the bests.
Timi, USA

This is the best side in England since Liverpool were in their pomp and probably the most entertaining we've ever had too. I'm a Leeds fan which makes it hard to swallow, but hopefully other sides will improve to compete and we can catch up with the Spanish.
John, England

This Arsenal team, without doubt, are playing the best football ever seen in the Premiership. Totally top class! Just sit back and admire, the Arsenal are on fire!
Mikhail, Toronto, Canada

No, no yet, but they are well on thier way. The current team more than deserve their records and the superlatives heaped upon them. They play some truly awesome football backed up with skill, grit and determination.

It's only a matter of time before more silverware arrives at Highbury and they put themselves up there with the most successful English teams in Europe.
Simon, UK

What hope does any team have against Arsenal at the moment? And to top it all they are doing it without the writers' player of the year 01/02 - Robert Pires! This Arsenal team is far more exciting than the side which won Man Utd the treble three years ago.
Luke, England

Almost... but not yet. Everything is in place, but we still need to win next week to break the final record, and I still think we need to win the Champions League to show we really are the best ever in the UK... but I think it might just be our season to prove it!
Catherine H, Letchworth, UK

To say they are the best of all time is VERY premature. Even the current Kop team have more to brag about than the Gunners of present
Maurice, England

They may not yet have as many trophies as Man Utd and Liverpool but they are playing the most exciting and successfull football that I have ever seen in nearly 40 years of watching English football. They are awesome in every department and can defend and attack better than any team that I have ever seen.
Paul Needham, UK

I'm a total Arsenal fan and always will be, but truth be told, Arsenal at this point are far from being England's best-ever side. It's quite clearly Liverpool, for both their domestic and European exploits. Arsenal have a long way to go before they can ever be considered as England's best ever side. But if they keep on this path, they very well could be by the end of the decade.
Francis Kofon, Nigeria

As far as I'm concerned, not even Man Utd, Liverpool or Real Madrid would be able to hold down this current Arsenal team.
Alfred Donio, Nigeria

I would just like to say that Arsenal are by no means the best English side ever until they emulate Man Utd's historic treble or conquer Europe like Liverpool did for a long period of time.
Craig Ferguson, N.Ireland

With the way that they are playing now, I am sure that they can reach Christmas without losing a game but to go unbeaten for the whole season, it will be difficult for them because they will have more League, FA, and Champions League games to play.
Chigbo Nwokorie, USA

The game is now light years ahead of where it was even 10 years ago. Lest we forget, Notts Forest won the European Cup with Gary Birtles up front and Arsenal won the League with the likes of Marwood, Smith and Thomas as ever-presents. That team would struggle to make the top ten today.
Graham Green, UK

Wooah, there! I'm a total Arsenal fan, and always will be. But truth be told, Arsenal at this point are far from being England's best ever side. It's quite clearly Liverpool, for both their domestic and continental exploits.

Arsenal have a long way to go before they can ever be considered as England's best ever side. But if they keep on this path, they very well could be by the end of the decade. That would be really cool.
Francis Kofon, Nigeria

Those saying Arsenal are not the best ever team should look at all the records being shattered. Surely to break a seventy-something year-old record at the time the matches are becoming tougher, faster and more technical should be an undeniable indicator that they are the all-conquering best!
Richard Chipunza, Norway

Style, pace, grace, fluidity, confidence, artistry, wizardry - they have it all, finished off with a master tactician in Arsene Wenger. I wonder what happened to Alex Ferguson's childish mind games.
Abigi Joe, USA

To all those Man Utd and Liverpool fans who will no doubt claim that this Arsenal side have achieved nothing compared to the 80s Liverpool and 90s Man Utd sides: all I have to say to you is that if tomorrow this Arsenal side met them, Arsenal would absolutely crucify both of them. There is no way Steve Bruce, Alan Hansen etc could have contained Henry, Wiltord etc!
Hiten, Birmingham UK

No they aren't for gods sake! Its just a run of good form. Last year after their 3-1 win over Juve, everybody started talking about them being the best team in the world blah, blah blah. Just wait until the end of the season.
Rio Ferdinand, England

No, Chesterfield are still better! 1-0 against Blackpool today. Up the Spireites!
Andy Sims, UK

Another smashing win indicates to me that this is indeed the best team ever to grace the Premiership. Let us not forget how far the game has gone in terms of speed and how much more difficult it is to exhibit creativity and flair. Full credit to them from this biased Gooner!
David Wong, Hong Kong

Your'e joking right? Where is the European silverware ?
Gary, Canada

Without doubt this Arsenal side is the best club side ever seen in Britain. The pace at which they score their goals is simply astonishing, they are getting from one side of the pitch to the other in around 10 seconds, and more often than not they end up scoring.
Kesh, Nottingham, England

This side is the best ever. They are the quickest and most athletic team ever. They also have as much heart, belief and skill of any of the greats of the past. Would the likes of Jackie Charlton, Phil Neal or Steve Bruce really be able to contain the pace, strength and skill of Henry and co. I don't think so!
Jimbo, England

When Arsenal can bring home domestic and European trophies on a consistent basis just as Man Utd and Liverpool have done then in the past they can be called a great team. One or two seasons of winning domestic trophies does not make a dynasty.
Rob, Finland (ex- pat)

Arsenal the best side ever? I wouldn't go that far! OK so they are the best team in England at the moment but to say they are the best side ever is nonsense. A best side ever is winning the league and FA Cup consistently and winning in Europe a few times. Liverpool in the 70s and 80s fits that description, don't you think?
AZ, USA

No, Arsenal are not. They haven't done anything in Europe yet and haven't dominated the game for as long as either Manchester United or Liverpool have done in the past. They are merely on a lengthy run of good form, but they are by no means invincible. Plus, they have irritating supporters who shout "I lavv the Goooooners" all the time, which therefore means they cannot be classed as England's best-ever anything.
Tim, England

Arsenal are playing great stuff, so yes you could call them a great side, but as a Liverpool fan, our 1987-88 team was equally, if not more awesome.
Soon, Singapore

Speed, magic, inspiration, sacrifice, lethal attack... Arsenal keep making Premier League Saturdays better. But still, in order to claim the England's best-ever team title, they must cross the borders and bring back the Champions League. Although with performances such as at Leeds, not even Real Madrid's galaxy seems able to hold the Gooners.
Joseph, Canada

Arsenal are far and away the best side in the Premiership. Are they the greatest ever? They are certainly better than the treble winning man Utd side. I can't wait to see an Arsenal v Real Madrid final.
Jude Andrews, Togo

There is no reason why Arsenal should not deserve to be proclaimed as one of the finest English, or indeed British, footballing sides. Their method of play is technically neat and aesthetically pleasing, and the players seem to exude confidence from every pore.

Goals are being knocked in courtesy of players from all positions, which is a testament to this new-found 'play-for-each-other' ethos that Wenger has cultivated behind closed doors. They seem almost infallible. The 4-1 drubbing Leeds received this afternoon seemed to epitomise everything that is right about Arsenal.
Raj, UK

It was a joy to watch the fluidity of Arsenal. Their quick passing, ability to maintain possession and how they absorbed pressure is unmatched so far in the Premiership. Man Utd lost at the same venue.

It was so easy for them and I felt they were not playing at 100%. Surely this team will surpass all the records set.
Sifelani Basket, Zimbabwe

Undeniably. Statistics and records do not lie. For the current English champions to hold so many records at once is exceptional. They will get better and better. Well done Arsene...oh what a time to be a Gooner!
Darsh, London, England