Only one team has managed it in the modern era, but the subject came up again this week and catches the eye. Could City emulate Arsenal and go through the Premier League season unbeaten?

Roberto Mancini played a straight bat having emerged victorious from one of his team's toughest games - away to the defending champions - and now former Gunner Gael Clichy has his say.

He tells tribalfootball.com: "It's far too easy for people to talk about City being the new invincibles. But I know it's so, so difficult to achieve.

"That Arsenal team was unbelievable. And to be involved was so incredible. I wasn't a regular but I was still part of it and have the big medal to show for it.

"We had the best players in the world — teams were scared of us. There was this aura around the team that we were untouchable, unbeatable.

"And there were top players who weren't involved as much. So I see there are similarities because City has a squad like that now.

One big difference is the Arsenal side had been together for years, most of us at City have only been together for four months

"But we do have 25 top players and we could field two great teams if we wanted. So we are progressing, but I'm sure we can improve as we get to know each other better."

Not sure if that's a yes or a no. We'll settle for a definitely maybe ...

Joe Hart was in a chatty mood yesterday, as website fans already know, and the England goalkeeper was buttonholed by Duncan White for a decent Telegraph interview.

He gives Duncan a little derby nugget: "In the dressing room afterwards everyone was buzzing. There was lots of noise from everyone. I think even James Milner managed a smile. You know you’ve done well if Milner’s smiling.”

And Joe also reveals that the manager "was on to us straight after the game. He told us it was the same as winning 1-0, the same as beating Villa the previous week.

"It sounds so boring saying we’re not going to get carried away, but you just can’t - you’ll end up looking stupid.”