Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was given the chance to talk about what Mikel Arteta is going through at Arsenal
Pep Guardiola said he was not interested in offering Mikel Arteta any advice for the Premier League run-in as Manchester City look to beat Arsenal to the title. The Blues can close to two points behind the leaders with a win at Leeds on Saturday before the Gunners host Chelsea on Sunday.
Arsenal have been the frontrunners all season, with City starting the season badly after a summer of change following their disappointing drop last year. But the Blues have held it together and, after a January wobble, have closed the gap in recent weeks to build some momentum for the final months.
Guardiola’s side are no longer one that can be backed to put together a formidable winning run, yet do boast a manager who has won it all before up against one still seeking his first league title. Arteta, whose only league titles as a coach came at City as Guardiola’s No.2, is under pressure to add more silverware at the Emirates and has twice been reeled in by City in league titles.
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City’s manager was offered the chance to talk about his experience trying to win the league at Barcelona, throwing some light onto the situation Arteta is in as he goes for his first league title. Guardiola dismissed the question though, saying: “I don’t remember. I’m not here to give advice to Mikel.”
The Premier League schedule has been made more difficult for City by their involvement in cup competitions. After an FA Cup last-16 game at Newcastle in a week, they will head to Real Madrid in the Champions League and host the Spanish giants days before the Carabao Cup final against Arsenal.
“It helps for our club,” Guardiola said of the Champions League draw. “As much as we play against the best teams in the history of the competition you learn and improve and will be better in the future.”
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The Carabao Cup Final will see Arsenal v Manchester City at London’s Wembley Stadium this March.
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