Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has claimed Arsenal have it ‘easy’ in the Premier League title race ahead of their crunch meeting at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
The title rivals meet in a potentially pivotal clash with only one point separating the two sides.
Arsenal travel to Manchester top of the Premier League table on goal difference from Liverpool, with Mikel Arteta‘s side a point ahead of defending champions Man City.
Guardiola has ramped up the pressure on the Gunners and his former assistant Arteta by claiming they have it ‘easy’ in comparison to his side.
The Man City boss suggested Arsenal have something to prove and claims the Gunners benefit from ‘something special’ as they bid for a first Premier League title since 2004.
Man City boss Pep Guardiola suggested Arsenal’s pursuit of the Premier League title is ‘easy’
Guardiola claimed the Gunners benefit from the desire to end their 20-year title drought
The Man City bosses’ comments ramp up pressure on Arteta’s side ahead of Sunday’s clash
He insisted his side’s challenge if more difficult as Man City aim to remain on top and secure a record fourth successive league title.
‘To fight for one title that you haven’t won for many years is “wow, it is easy”,’ Guardiola said, as per the Guardian. ‘We have been here for many, many years – and we are still there.
‘I have said it a 1000 million times, the biggest success of this club is that after many years still we are there – and people cannot imagine how difficult it is.
‘We are the benchmark for the new generations in this club because (what we have done) is really really good. I could not expect, honestly, being here with the problems we had this season, being in this position right now.
‘Of course it is important what we have done before, but I didn’t expect to arrive where we are now. But after more than 20 years, Arsenal haven’t won the Premier League, so they will have something to prove and that’s normal.
‘When Liverpool won the title after many years, that gives you something special.’
Man City got the better of their title rivals last season, with Guardiola’s side reeling in Arsenal as they collapsed in the run-in.
The Gunners had been eight points clear of Man City but a run of only two wins in eight matches saw Arteta’s side eventually finish as runners-up.
Guardiola suggested his side have it harder as they bid for a fourth successive league title
Man City went on to secure a fifth title in six seasons as part of a famous Treble.
Arsenal got the better of Man City at the Emirates earlier this season with Gabriel Martinelli’s late goal earning a 1-0 win back in October.
Guardiola’s side will seek revenge at the Etihad as they bid for a first win over a top six side in the Premier League this season.
Man City will be without key defenders Kyle Walker and John Stones for the match after the paid were injured during friendlies for England in the international break.
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