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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has highlighted the biggest strength of their title challengers Arsenal ahead of a mouth-watering Premier League clash between the two sides on September 22. The Spaniard noted that the Gunners were impeccably strong in defense, and that they have showcased their prowess over 'many games' over the past few years.
Current Gunners manager Mikel Arteta started his coaching career as an assistant to Guardiola at Manchester City. He lifted two Premier League titles and an FA Cup before taking up the top job at the Emirates Stadium.
Despite a few initial struggles, the 42-year-old slowly built a solid squad, and has firmly re-established Arsenal as perennial title contenders. His side have finished as runners-up to Manchester City in the last two Premier League seasons.
The Gunners finished five points behind City in the 2022-23 campaign, and fell agonizingly short by just two points in the 2023-24 campaign.
After four games in the 2024-25 season, Guardiola and Arteta's sides once again sit atop the standings on 12 and 10 points, respectively.
Analyzing the North Londoners' strengths prior to their arrival at the Etihad, the 53-year-old tactician said (via City Zone on X):
"They are so strong defensively… They attack the spaces well… Strong in the middle, Gabriel and (William) Saliba are strong in the middle… Not just one game, two games, but many games."
"They have been tight games the last years because they're a very good team. They do many good things, pressing, defending… That's why they've been the biggest rival the last two seasons," Guardiola added.
Guardiola and Arteta have faced off as opposition managers on 12 occasions, with the City boss winning eight times and the Gunners coach just thrice (one draw).
"It is an advantage" - Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola highlights his side's advantage over Arsenal ahead of EPL clash
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has claimed that his side have the 'rest' advantage over Mikel Arteta's Arsenal ahead of the two sides' clash in the Premier League.
City played out a 0-0 draw against Italian giants Inter Milan in their 2024-25 UEFA Champions League opener on Wednesday, September 18. Arsenal also played out a 0-0 draw against 2023-24 UEFA Europa League champions Atalanta in their opening UCL game, which was one day later (September 19).
City's previous EPL fixture, a 2-1 win over Brentford, was also one day earlier (September 14) than the Gunners' 1-0 win over Tottenham (September 15). Due to the spaced-out nature of their fixtures, Guardiola has claimed that his side have a small advantage in terms of fitness levels.
He said (via France 24):
"It is an advantage but I am going to make a list in the last six years of how many times we faced a tough team with an extra day of rest. It is a very long list."
Manchester City will host Arsenal at the Etihad on September 22, in a high-stakes Premier League clash that could decide the course of the title race.
