Arteta (R) was Guardiola’s assistant at City before taking charge at Arsenal.
- Arteta anticipates breaking Arsenal’s Etihad losing streak.
- Arsenal leads Premier League with 64 points, City trails in third with 63.
- Arteta aims to challenge City’s standards under Guardiola.
Mikel Arteta, the manager of Arsenal, is eagerly anticipating the upcoming Premier League match against Manchester City on Sunday.
Arteta holds the belief that under Pep Guardiola’s leadership, City has set new standards in global football.
Currently, Arsenal leads the Premier League table with 64 points and 10 games remaining, while the reigning champions, City, are in third place with 63 points. Liverpool is in second place, also with 64 points.
A victory would not only break Arsenal’s nine-year losing streak at the Etihad but also bolster their chances of clinching the Premier League title.
“We’ve done a lot already to be in the position that we are and now we have to embrace and enjoy the moment and go for it,” Arteta shared with reporters on Friday.
“(City) have raised the bar in this league, I think in football in general, to a level that hadn’t been seen before,” he continued. “And that’s the beauty of the sport, that makes you better, that challenges you more and you have to keep up with that pace. And that’s what we are trying to do.”
The Gunners have been on a winning streak, securing victories in their last eight league matches and scoring a remarkable total of 33 goals.
Arteta, who was previously Guardiola’s assistant at City before assuming his role at Arsenal, acknowledges that their relationship has evolved now that they are in opposing dugouts.
“It has to change, (but) my admiration for him certainly not,” Arteta expressed about Guardiola. “My opinion is he is the best coach in the world by a mile and he’s one of the nicest people I have met in football.
“But our roles at the moment are where they are and it has to adapt to the situation. Probably I would prefer to (beat) somebody else that I don’t have those feelings (of friendship), but it is not a choice. We both want to win. We know each other very well and I will prepare the game to win it.”
Arteta disclosed that despite not having trained since the team’s return from the break, forwards Saka and Martinelli, and centre back Gabriel, might still play in the match.
Saka is dealing with a hamstring injury, while Martinelli (foot injury) and Gabriel (Achilles) did not participate in Brazil’s matches.
“There is a chance,” Arteta stated. “They haven’t trained but tomorrow we have another session.”
