Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola’s Preview Ahead of Sunday’s Showdown at the Etihad.
EPL: Mikel Arteta’s pre-Man City press conference
Evaluating last season’s corresponding game to this one, Mikel said: “It is different. Momentum is different, we had certain results and some big injuries in that moment but those experiences are there to learn from. Sometimes we have to clap the opponent when they are better than you and that was the case on the day, learn from it and challenge yourself to be better.
“[Last season] there were many factors that didn’t help us. We got the injuries in the Sporting game, and there was a lot happening and that momentum shifted to a more negative momentum. We were struggling to keep up [with City] because they kept winning, they won 14 or 15 games in a row and they managed to do it.
“[It showed] the level that we are facing and where we want to be. Certainly, that’s where we want to be and you have to make strong steps to get there. I think we have made some big ones in the last two or three years and we’re getting much closer and now it is about how you close that gap and actually try to be better than them.”
“Like most teams over the past decade, we have a poor record at the Etihad Stadium. We are winless there since 2015, while City have strung together a 38-game unbeaten run in all competitions since Brentford last won there in November 2022.”
But having ended other lengthy waits for a win at Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and Everton in recent seasons, Mikel feels that his players are confident taking on any opponent, anywhere and the weight of history doesn’t faze them.
“That belief comes by starting to win at grounds you haven’t won at for many years,” he added. “You do it somewhere else and that belief takes momentum. Now they approach away games very similarly to home games. You cannot replicate it, but at least mentally. The purpose they play with is very similar.”
“We try to play the same way away that we do at home and have that belief and aggression in our play. You have to play every team twice and we know the fixtures that we have, but I’m looking forward to it.”
Mikel Arteta on Pep Guardiola: “He is the best manager in the world by a mile”.
“He is someone I loved working with and that will stay forever. The intelligence, the way he manages the team, an incredible work ethic, he does a lot behind the scenes that people don’t see”.
Arteta: “There’s a chance to see Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Magalhães playing against Man City, yeah”.
“They have not trained yet, tomorrow we have another session… but there is a chance they can be part of the squad”.
PEP GUARDIOLA’S PREVIEW
“[Arsenal have the] Same manager, a few new players.
“They control the aspects of the game and every game is better and better.
“Obviously they have improved. I wouldn’t expect differently from the start of the season.
“[It’s] Good to be here. The season has been really good, winning two titles after what happened last season.
“We are in contention for three main titles of the season. We make incredible work.
“In the last ten games of the Premier League, we start an important time. The people will give us what we need to perform our best.”
PEP on Kevin [De Bruyne] is so important. It has been a tough season for him with injuries. He has been out for a long time. He trained really well yesterday. We will see what he does in the next few days.
Pep Guardiola: “Ederson is doing much better, Manuel Akanji will be 100% ready and available to face Arsenal”.
“Walker and Stones will be out”.
Pep Guardiola: “Kyle Walker’s injury is more tougher than John Stones, but he will be out for I don’t know how many games…”.
Pep Guardiola likewise mentioned that Jack Grealish has trained “really well” ahead of Sunday’s clash with Arsenal.
The England winger looked in sparkling form during the away trip to FC Copenhagen in mid-February before picking up a muscle injury.
He then missed the next eight games, but Guardiola says he is progressing well and will be assessed over the next two training sessions before deciding if he will feature against the Gunners.
“This season was not perfect for him, but he trained really well,”” said the City boss.
“He had a long time not playing, but we will take a decision tomorrow.
“To see the calendar we have, if we want to fight in all competitions we need all the players.
“The calendar doesn’t look good for us but it is what it is.”
Previous Meeting Earlier This Season.
An unfortunate deflected goal off Nathan Ake saw City slip to a 1-0 defeat at the Emirates Stadium in October.
In a match of few chances, the game looked to be heading for a stalemate until Gabrielli Martinelli’s 86th minute shot from the edge of the box struck the Dutch defender in the face, wrong footing Ederson and rolling into the empty net.
