Arsenal in better position than Manchester City, says Pep Guardiola ahead of Community Shield
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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola insisted that Arsenal hold an advantage heading into the Premier League season.
PHOTO: AFP
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LONDON – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta know each other very well, but that did not stop the duo from kicking off the mind games ahead of Sunday’s Community Shield clash.
On Friday, Guardiola insisted that Arsenal hold an advantage heading into the curtain-raiser for the English Premier League season due to his treble winners’ packed fixture schedule during the final stretch of last season.
City faced a gruelling calendar thanks to their successful runs in the Champions League and FA Cup, while Arsenal had a less busy campaign and were only chasing Guardiola’s side for the Premier League title.
“The situation that we are in, we finished (last season) two weeks later than Arsenal and so we will start (this season getting into gear) two weeks later. So, we are not in the best way,” Guardiola said.
“We struggle to restart every season but it’s fine, and hopefully our mentality can help us to be there and compete.”
Arteta’s Arsenal are looking to close the gap at the top of the league, and Guardiola also believes the Gunners have recruited top players who could walk straight into the starting line-up.
The signings of England midfielder Declan Rice
“Rice decided to go to Arsenal, I wish him all the best. For the England team, he is important. Arsenal have bought a really good player,” the Spaniard said.
“They didn’t buy players to make the squad bigger, they bought starting players. I could not expect anything different.”
City, meanwhile, have accquired Croatia defender Josko Gvardiol from Bundesliga club RB Leipzig on a five-year deal, the club announced on Saturday.
British media said Gvardiol was signed for €90 million (S$132.7 million), making the 21-year-old the second-most expensive defender behind Harry Maguire, who was signed for £80 million (S$136.6 million) by Manchester United in 2019.
Gvardiol is Guardiola’s second signing in this transfer window, after compatriot Mateo Kovacic joined from Chelsea.
Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva is another key player who is linked with a move away from the club.
PHOTO: REUTERS
The City boss, meanwhile, also reiterated his desire to keep England defender Kyle Walker, amid interest from German giants Bayern Munich.
While Guardiola praised Arsenal’s summer business, the addition of a top-quality player like Gvardiol is likely one of the reasons why Arteta believes that City will still be “the team to beat” in the new season.
Arsenal are determined to fight for all trophies, especially after their Premier League title challenge crumbled last season due to their own shortcomings and in the face of a relentless City.
The Gunners enjoyed an eight-point lead over City until mid-March but lost it at the end of April and will now look for revenge, starting with Sunday’s match at Wembley.
But Arteta, who served as an assistant manager to Guardiola at City from 2016 to 2019, has warned that his team will still be the underdogs.
“Very excited to play a final to win a trophy, but we are playing against the team to beat,” he said.
“They’ve shown their consistency over the years and they merit that respect from everybody. That’s the standard and if you want to be there, you know what you have to do.”
However, Arteta is optimistic about his side mounting a serious challenge for titles this season.
“This is what we want (a new era for Arsenal), fighting for every trophy. We have to prove that. What we did last year was not enough to win the big trophy, and we have to be better,” said the Spaniard.
“We made some important signings, and when you are Arsenal, you have to handle that (high expectations).”
Arteta also confirmed that Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus should return to action “soon”
