Pep Guardiola declared that Mikel Arteta has restored Arsenal to former glories seen under Arsene Wenger.
Manchester City go to the Emirates on Sunday top of the Premier League in their latest title defence but looking to avoid consecutive defeats for the first time in five years.
Guardiola believes the Emirates Stadium has a new fear factor but hopes City will be able to impose their style in a more open encounter than when they lost at Wolves last week.
‘They fought to be champions and after couldn’t do it,’ Guardiola said. ‘Arsenal is back to where they were, when they fought with Sir Alex [Ferguson’s] team.
‘When I arrived here they were not there and now they are back. In the calendar you see when you have to go Emirates.
Guardiola has hailed the return of Arsenal, who are expected to be City’s closest challengers
Arsenal got the better of the first clash between the two sides in the Community Shield
City beat Arsenal home and away last season before winning the Premier League by five points
‘They make man marking sometimes, which sometimes allows you to do some process but after they are so aggressive. And the recruitment they have done is top, exceptional.’
Arteta is looking to deliver a first title for 20 years and has been backed in the transfer market to make that a reality.
City pulled out of a move to sign Declan Rice in the summer and he is now thriving with the Gunners and there is a selection headache for Guardiola with Rodri serving the third match of his suspension.
Mateo Kovacic filled in the defensive midfield role at Molineux but struggled and Guardiola admitted how to line up in that area of the pitch is his biggest decision.
‘Yeah, it is,’ he said. ‘He is not here we will find solutions and decide on how we are going to press and play. The moment in my mind when a player is not there he is completely out and I don’t think about there. Rodri is on holiday and back after the international break.
Arteta’s side have made a solid start to the campaign and remain unbeaten after seven games
Man City suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to Wolves in their last Premier League outing on Saturday
Guardiola confirmed that City will still be without John Stones but he has returned to training
‘The approach from Wolves is different from Arsenal, Wolves defended from minute one, the striker go with our holding midfielder and 11 players in their box.
‘I don’t think Arsenal is going to happen like that so will be really different and we have to adapt, We know each other quite well and will see.’
City are again without John Stones, who returned to training and made the bench for the Champions League victory at RB Leipzig in midweek.
‘John is not ready to play,’ Guardiola said. ‘Maybe for the national team but not for us.’
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