Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said that his side could afford a repeat of the defense of the «under the 14s» that saw it struck 5-1 in February by Arsenal.
The men of Guardiola travel again on Sunday to the Emirates, who chases all the Gunners and defending champions Liverpool in the Premier League title race.
City lost two of the opening of three games from Tottenham and Brighton, but was reflected with extensive victories over Manchester United and in the Champions League on Napoli.
The thrashing through his former Protege Mikel Arteta was one of the low points in a miserable campaign for Guardiola.
City was unable to win a trophy for the first time since 2017 and ended a remote behind Liverpool and Arsenal.
«The game last season, we started many times last season, like a team under 14 years old and gave a thousand million goals away,» Guardiola said when he was asked to think about his last visit to the Emirates.
Read also | Liverpool vs Everton, Premier League – H2H, what to expect in Merseyside Derby?
“After we were, often, pretty good, seen how it was last season, but the last 15-20 minutes were a disaster.
«We forgot to do what we had done and it was easy for Arsenal. I want to compete to be a better team than last season.»
Both Liverpool and Arsenal Outspent City in the transfer star in the Battle for Premier League Supremacy and Guardiola took the opportunity to use an excavation among those who claim his six titles since he has been at his disposal in England.
«The only thing I want to say to my friend Mikel Arteta is if he wins the title, it will only be because he has spent money, not because he has worked hard or because of his players,» said Guardiola Sarcastic.
«It is also like Liverpool. If Arne (Slot) wins again, it will be because he has spent a lot of money, right? Because it is not only the man City (spend), right?»
Arteta left behind Guardiola in 2019 and slowly built Arsenal back in a force that can compete for large trophies.
But he has just won a piece of silverware, the 2020 FA Cup, after he ends in the Premier League in the last three seasons.
«He found the club in a (certain) way and step by step, window by window, Arsenal gets better,» Guardiola added.
«Last season in Europe they took an incredible step forward and they are the most solid team for me. They don’t make any mistakes in the back.»
The city starts the weekend three points behind Arsenal and six drift from leaders Liverpool.
The challenge for Guardiola is increased by the fact that it played his Champions League opener 48 hours after Arsenal, who won 2-0 in Athletic Bilbao on Tuesday.
Guardiola refused to be attracted to the planning debate, but admitted that it could be difficult for Ballon d’Or winner Rodri to start three games in eight days on his return of a big knee injury.
«With him on the field we feel more comfortable, but after a serious injury you have to be alert and we will decide on Sunday how he feels.»
Published on September 19, 2025
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(745x331:747x333)/luann-de-lesseps-ordering-pizza-rhony-the-skinny-confidential-podcast-091925-58c8e79ee9ca4ccebddf0edae691d27a.jpg?w=238&resize=238,178&ssl=1 "Luann de Lesseps reacciona a la escena de la pizza viral de «ronca»")
