“Arsenal have a manager for many years” – Pep Guardiola praises Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta before their clash at the Emirates

Arsenal have the opportunity to end the weekend as league leaders.

“Arsenal have a manager for many years” – Pep Guardiola praises Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta before their clash at the Emirates

(L-R) Pep Guardiola, Mikel Arteta (Source: via Reuters)

Pep Guardiola has shown his immense respect and appreciation for current Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta. “Arsenal have a manager for many years, he loves the club!” the Spanish manager stated about his former colleague. 

Upon his appointment as Manchester City manager in 2016, Pep Guardiola was joined by Mikel Arteta at the same time who joined as assistant manager. The duo spent three years in the blue side of Manchester together. Their tenure saw them lift several trophies together including two Premier League titles and one FA Cup. Mikel Arteta seemed to be on his way out after Arsenal stated their intentions to sign their former player as their manager. In 2019 the deal was finalized and Mikel Arteta left for the club from North London.  

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The two still maintain a good relationship to this day and speak well about each other when asked. Ahead of their clash at the Emirates, Pep Guardiola was all praises for his former assistant manager stating, “People say: he was with Pep and learned a lot. Trust me, I learned a lot from him.” He further added, “All the success he has belongs to Mikel Arteta and the club, not me.” Mikel Arteta was also all praises for his former colleague describing Pep as an ‘inspiration’ in a YouTube video, showcasing his respect for his fellow compatriot.  

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Arsenal are set to face Manchester City this Sunday at the Emirates as the teams battle it out to see who ends the weekend as league leaders.

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Mikel Arteta has never beaten Pep Guardiola in the Premier League

Since Arteta’s tenure as Arsenal manager began, the club has yet to beat Manchester City in the Premier League. Arsenal came close to winning the league last season, however, capitulated towards the end resulting in Man City lifting their third consecutive title as Premier League champions.

Mikel Arteta, Pep Guardiola
(L-R) Mikel Arteta, Pep Guardiola (Source: via CFP)

Mikel Arteta will now seek to fix the mistakes of last season, a season which saw Man City do the double over their former assistant manager. The fixture at the Etihad last season was dubbed ‘Men vs Boys’. Now with his squad one year older and with the experience of last season’s failure, Arteta will look to end Man City’s unbeaten streak over Arsenal dating back to 2017.

The fixture at the Emirates will be immense as City will miss both Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne. However, Arsenal may also have their injury problems as ‘Starboy’ Bukayo Saka is not a guarantee for the game with Arteta labelling him ‘in contention’. With all to play for this weekend, Mikel Arteta will aim to get one over his former mentor.

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