Pep Guardiola: Arsenal Will Be Long-Term Premier League Title Contenders
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has declared that Arsenal will be long-term Premier League title contenders before the two sides meet in the top flight on Sunday.
Arsenal, who finished second behind City last year, are unbeaten in the league this season and Guardiola’s side lost to Wolves last weekend but are currently one point ahead of the Gunners.
“They were the biggest rival last season and will stay there for a long time,” Guardiola said. “Absolutely, along with Liverpool, big clubs are always contenders.”
Guardiola, who was a young manager at Barcelona, remembers when Arsenal fought Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United team for the title and is pleased to see them back in contention.
“When you see in the calendar it says you go to the Emirates [you know] it’s a tougher one,” he said.
Arsenal have lost their past 12 league matches against City and are without a top-flight win in the fixture since 2015. However, they beat Guardiola’s side in the Community Shield on penalties before the season began, and Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is confident his side can match that result at Emirates Stadium.
“My only worry is the quality of the opponent and on Sunday we have to be at our best for 100 minutes,” Arteta said. “In these big games you need big players with talent who make it count. Duels are a big thing in a game which can go one way or another.”
TEAM NEWS
Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka is a major doubt after limping off during the Champions League defeat by Lens. Gabriel Martinelli is expected to miss a sixth successive game because of a hamstring issue.
City are without midfielder Rodri who will serve the final game of a three-match ban. Bernardo Silva is available after returning to the squad in midweek, while John Stones and Kevin de Bruyne have both been ruled out.
Can Arsenal Overcome City?
The upcoming match between Manchester City and Arsenal is sure to be an exciting one, as both teams have had impressive starts to the season. Arsenal have been unbeaten in the league this season, while City have only lost once, to Wolves last weekend.
Pep Guardiola has declared that Arsenal will be long-term Premier League title contenders, and with their impressive form this season, it’s easy to see why. However, Arsenal have lost their past 12 league matches against City and are without a top-flight win in the fixture since 2015.
The team news for this match is also interesting, with Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka a major doubt after limping off during the Champions League defeat by Lens, and Gabriel Martinelli expected to miss a sixth successive game because of a hamstring issue. On the other hand, City are without midfielder Rodri who will serve the final game of a three-match ban, but Bernardo Silva is available after returning to the squad in midweek.
It will be interesting to see how this match plays out, as both teams have had impressive starts to the season and have talented players who could make a difference in this match. It’s sure to be an exciting game that could go either way.