Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has labelled their Premier League rivals Arsenal the ‘best team in the Premier League’ ahead of the top-of-the-table three-pointer that pits second placed City against league leaders Arsenal this evening at the Emirates Stadium.
Guardiola’s City made sure to keep Arsenal within touching distance of three points following their 3-1 win over Aston Villa over the weekend.
While Arsenal who followed their loss to Everton 12 days ago with a painful draw against Brentford on Saturday, the Spanish tactician believes Mikel Arteta’s team is the best in the league currently.
Speaking to the press, Guardiola whose team has won four of the last five Premier League titles said:
“So far they are the best team in the Premier League, they made an incredible first leg of the league. We felt it a few weeks ago in the FA Cup here. The commitment, they are sharp. We have to try to read the game we’re going to play. It will be a big, big battle.”
Arsenal go into this game with a run so dismal! They have not beaten City in their last thirteen meetings, losing ten of those. While Guardiola tags them the division’s best, he has offered a warning. He has told Arteta and his boys that Man City is not relinquishing the title without a fight.
“If they beat us because they are better, then this is sport, I’ll be the first to congratulate them, as I’ve always done. But not because we are not there. You want it? OK, fight. Take it. It’s in our hands.
“We’ll defend this title until the last day. This is what I’d like. To fight to the maximum to try to retain the title. If we don’t, accept it, but we need to give our best. My players have to feel that every day.”
Arsenal fans will have been jubilant when Erling Haaland was substituted at halftime against Aston Villa after sustaining an apparent high injury. The Norwegian, a Premier League debutant has been a menace to Premier League defences and his stats show for that. He currently leads the scoring charts with 25 points.
Arsenal fans must be hoping he doesn’t feature in this game. Guardiola gave the update on his availability.
“We train this afternoon [Tuesday] so right now I don’t know. Yesterday was a recovery for the Aston Villa game, that’s all.”
The defending Champions will topple the Gunners on goal difference if they beat them. Should Arsenal win, they will go six points clear with a game in hand.
Arsenal haven’t won a league title since the 2003/04 season..
