Arsenal go to Manchester City to defend their lead. I’d rather fight someone else for the title, admits Arteta

The Premier League is set for a spectacular showpiece on Sunday. First Arsenal take on third-placed Manchester City. Only one point separates the two teams in the table. With ten rounds to go, this could be a crucial battle. What does Gunners coach Mikel Arteta have to say ahead of the game?

The national break is over and club football is finally back. And the English Premier League is back in style. The title is on the line. The first and third teams in the table will face off, with only one point separating the two teams.

Arsenal take on defending champions Manchester City. They’re buoyed by the fact that they’ve beaten the Citizens twice in the first half of the season. They beat them 2-1 on penalties at the Community Shield and dominated their home league game in October 1-0.

But Mikel Arteta could have a very difficult situation. It is not clear if he will be able to use stars Bukay Saku or Gabriel Martinelli. But there is a chance they will be available. The Gunners coach himself, of course, didn’t want to completely discuss their return.

“Manchester City have raised the bar in this league, and I think in football in general, to a level that hasn’t been there before. That’s the beauty of the sport. It makes you better all the time, it motivates you. We have to keep up with our opponents and we are trying to do that,” Arteta was quoted as saying ahead of the important clash.

Arsenal are confident, but Arteta would rather fight for the title with someone else

It is no secret that Mikel Arteta is one of the former students of Pep Guardiola, the Citizens’ manager. He shows that he has great potential and interesting talent. He has clearly managed to lift Arsenal since his arrival at the Emirates Stadium.

However, he has not matured enough to humble his mentor in the battle for the league title. But as he himself admits, their relationship has changed since he joined the Gunners.

“It had to change, but the admiration and everything I feel for him hasn’t changed. He’s by a long way the best coach in the world and also one of the best people I’ve met in football. I had a lot of fun and a lot of laughs working with him. But our roles are what they are now, the relationship has had to adapt to that,” Arteta admits.

“I would rather fight for the title with someone else. But it’s not a choice. It is what it is. People want to win. Pep and I know each other very well. We will do everything we can to win the fight,” he added.

Arsenal go to Manchester with a lot of confidence. The Spanish coach himself says he believes not only in his players but in everything he is trying to achieve with them.

“It’s a big game for both teams. A win would give us a huge boost. But I still feel there is a long way to go to reach the title,” Arteta concluded on the subject.

Source: Arsenal, Premier League