Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says he enjoys watching Arsenal play as he can "learn a lot" from them. The Gunners are in contention for a Premier League and Champions League double, sitting six points clear at the top of the table and with a European semi-final against Atletico Madrid lined up. But their style of play under manager Mikel Arteta has increasingly been criticised, having scored 37% of their 62 league goals from set-pieces this season and just two goals from open play in their last five games.
Arsenal travel to second-place City in a monumental contest on Sunday (kick-off ) knowing they will go a long way to claiming their first title in more than two decades if they avoid defeat. Asked if he enjoyed watching Arsenal in action, Guardiola said: "Yes. From the media, supporters, everyone.
I learn a lot in many things. "What people want is to win and we will fight. An aspect that is really, really important that we cannot fight against is [Arsenal going] 22 years without winning the Premier League.
They have something that makes them unique. "I knew that feeling when we arrived here. For a long time we didn't win the Premier League.
Manuel [Pellegrini] and [Roberto] Mancini did it but for our era I would say, I know how you feel that first win. "That is something that we cannot play against, that is why we have to focus on the way we have to play." Nobody says who called first, but Arteta and Guardiola speak again - Balague Play-off pending? How a draw at the Etihad could set up thrilling finale How do you hold your nerve in a title race?
Arsenal opened the door to City last weekend with a shock home defeat by Bournemouth and Guardiola's side capitalised by claiming a statement victory at Chelsea. The results meant Arsenal's chance of lifting the trophy dropped from 97% to 87% with City improving from 3% to 13%, according to statisticians Opta. The two sides drew at Emirates Stadium last September but City go into this game with a psychological advantage after beating Arsenal 2-0 at Wembley Stadium to win the Carabao Cup last month.
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