Manchester City's title race intensifies when it takes on title contender Arsenal on Wednesday. With Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta clashing, the former has explained how the latter, his former Man City assistant, has transformed Arsenal into a title rival.
Defending champion Manchester City hosts table-topper Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester on Wednesday, a meeting that will certainly decide the course of the title race. A win for the hosts will get them a couple of points close to the visitors, who would have played more matches. However, a defeat may dent the chances of the Cityzens but still keep the title race open.
The game would be a fascinating clash between City head coach Pep Guardiola and Gunners boss Mikel Arteta. It would be the third time the two would be facing off, with their previous couple of meetings going the Cityzens' way. However, Guardiola was in awe of his fellow Spaniard, who he had as the assistant coach at Etihad a couple of seasons ago, besides hailing him for transforming the London-based side into a title rival.
🗣 "It's not the first time in sports history."
Pep Guardiola shares what he thinks about being rivals with a close friend in Mikel Arteta pic.twitter.com/0w3u3eDmiI
"The club's development since he took over is obvious. It is the reality. I don't have to change what I think. When you talk about the work of a football manager, I am a trainer, not a manager. I have the feeling Mikel changed the structure of the club," said Guardiola, reports Goal.
"He [Arteta] changed a lot of players. The club hierarchy has supported him, so the success is there. Arsenal in the last years never was there and this season make another step because all season has been there. I was impressed. They have been outstanding," Guardiola added.
🗣 "I feel that Mikel [Arteta] changed the structure of the club."
Pep Guardiola praises the progress the Arsenal manager has made since joining pic.twitter.com/CSLqfUTnEO
In the meantime, Arteta has warned his boys not to get intimidated by City's challenge, saying, "I've not seen any of my players being intimidated by that challenge, and if I do, I will kill them because I don't want that at all. The level of this match demands absolute perfection in every ball, and we have to deliver that in our performance. Going toe-to-toe with City has been great, but it's not enough, and now, we are in this position, we are going to win it."