Pep Guardiola will not repeat Arsenal 'error' next season as key decision helped to set up title showdown

Manchester City take on Arsenal on Wednesday evening in a game that could determine the destination of this season's Premier League title - and the showdown began back in August.

Arsenal needed a summer transfer boost, having suffered the ignominy of missing out on the top four places at the hands of fierce rivals Tottenham.

Manager Mikel Arteta and sporting director Edu acted decisively in the market, bringing in midfielder Fabio Vieira from Porto and backup goalkeeper Matt Turner from New England Revolution. The Gunners also integrated William Saliba into the squad following two loan spells in France.

The two key incoming transfers this summer, however, both involved City. Arsenal signed both Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko from Pep Guardiola's side - and they have had a significant impact on the Gunners' push for the Premier League title.

Originally a wide midfielder by trade, Zinchenko was converted into an attacking full-back under Guardiola at City, where Arteta was a coach for several years.

Much like City's other full-backs, the Ukraine international was taught how to cut inside and be an effective presence in the build-up of attacks from central midfield. It is something Arteta has utilised at Arsenal to great effect.

Jesus, meanwhile, netted five goals and provided five assists in his first 14 Gunners appearances, setting the platform for his new side's title charge.

He suffered a knee injury during the World Cup with Brazil and missed three months of action, but has now returned to play what he hopes will be a key part in the run-in.

And ahead of the City clash tonight, Guardiola may be offered a stark reminder of two of his former players that could help the Gunners lift their first league trophy since 2004.

Can Zinchenko and Jesus shape title race?

Earlier this month, Football Insider claimed that City would turn down any offers from Arsenal for any of their first team players, such has been the impact of Zinchenko and Jesus at the Emirates Stadium.

But that appears to be at odds with public comments Guardiola has made. Speaking in February, he said (quotes via talkSPORT): "The players are agreed, which is the most important thing, the club wants to sell, the club wants to buy, so they are agreed.

"So the club take the decisions before you ask the question - is it a risk? So they're happy, we're happy so in the end we don't have any complaints about Gabriel and Alex and where they are and what they have done for this club in the last years."

While both players have adapted extremely well to life at the Emirates Stadium, it is questionable as to whether they would have had the same impact as rotation options at City.

Jesus would have seen his playing time at centre forward limited by big-money signing Erling Haaland, with Julian Alvarez also providing competition.

Zinchenko may have been a different story, with first choice left-back Joao Cancelo - who was previously ahead of the Ukrainian in the City pecking order - leaving the club on loan to Bayern Munich in January.

Whether Zinchenko could have filled that void, bearing in mind Guardiola's change of tactics in recent months, is unclear. But both players will be desperate to strike a key blow in the title race at the home stadium of their former club on Wednesday evening - and help the Gunners take one step closer to the Premier League title.

Topics: Arsenal, Manchester City, Premier League, Pep Guardiola, Mikel Arteta, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Gabriel Jesus

Ryan Smart

Live in constant hope of the top flight as a Preston North End fan. Written in the past for SPORF, GiveMeSport and more.