Featured Image Credit: Sky Sports
Topics: Arsenal, Manchester City, Mikel Arteta, Pep Guardiola, Premier League, Rodri, Champions League
Luke Davies
Topics: Arsenal, Manchester City, Mikel Arteta, Pep Guardiola, Premier League, Rodri, Champions League
Pep Guardiola has labelled a particular team as the ‘most solid' in world football ahead of his side’s Premier League fixture against Arsenal on Sunday.
Guardiola, 54, will be hoping his Manchester City side can build on the 3-1 Champions League group phase victory against Club Brugge on Wednesday.
But Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal will pose a much tougher test than the Belgians when they welcome City to the Emirates on Sunday afternoon.
The last time the clubs met in the Premier League was back in September with the match ending 2-2 thanks to a last-gasp John Stones equaliser.
The game was eventful, to say the least, with Leandro Trossard sent off as well as City midfielder Rodri sustaining a season-ending ACL injury.
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And due to the two clubs battling it out for top spot in the Premier League in the last two seasons, a rivalry has emerged.
However, Arteta, 42, played the supposed bad blood between the sides down.
"I was there for four years, so I know how competitive they are,” Arteta said on Friday.
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“They win and win again. That is what I meant.
"If there was a problem, we wouldn't have been talking on the phone and messaging each other. If not, it wouldn't happen."
“The business is to be better than them,” he added. “That’s it. The only thing I review is what happened during that match, how competitive it gets is normal when two big teams want to win the game.
"Nothing else from that side."
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Coming into the game City are fourth - six points behind Arsenal.
While the Gunners are currently second - nine points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool.
So, with all that being said, who did Guardiola brand the ‘most solid team’?
Well, it was actually Arsenal.
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Speaking in an interview with Sky Sports, Guardiola was quick to praise the north London club.
“[They are] the most solid team in all departments in the world,” said Guardiola.
“They can do everything good – better than the other ones.”
But he will, no doubt, be hoping his side can find a weakness in Arsenal's side on Sunday afternoon.