Arsenal and Manchester City are set to go head-to-head in a huge Premier League clash on Wednesday night that could effectively decide who wins the title race. The Gunners sit five points clear of the reigning champions heading into the game at the Etihad Stadium, but Pep Guardiola's side have two games in hand on the north London outfit.
Mikel Arteta's side have seen their lead at the top of the table cut down significantly in recent weeks after drawing each of their last three fixtures against Liverpool, West Ham and Southampton. Arsenal look set to be without Granit Xhaka and William Saliba for the huge clash against City and face a monumental task in keeping Erling Haaland quiet.
Arteta has taken a lot of what he learnt from Guardiola into his managerial role at the Emirates Stadium and faces his former mentor once again tomorrow night with their teams challenging for the Premier League title. The Gunners can take a huge step towards lifting their first title since 2004 with a win on Wednesday night which would see them move eight points clear with five games left to play for them.
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The Man City boss describes himself as a coach rather than a manager and he believes his former protégé has taken a more hands-on role at the Emirates Stadium to implement the changes he wants. Speaking ahead of the clash against Arsenal, Guardiola said: "I think the development of the club since he took over is obvious, it is the reality.
"I don’t have to change what I think. When you talk about the work of a football manager, I am a trainer, not a manager. I have the feeling Mikel changed the structure of the club [Arsenal]. He changed a lot of players.
"He has been supported by the hierarchy of the club and that is why the success is there. Before it was a top six, now a top eight because Newcastle is there and for every year it will be more and more difficult and Arsenal in the last years always was there and this season make another step because all season has been there.
"I have been impressed, they have been really good."
Guardiola and Arteta might be going head-to-head for the title, but they remain good friends away from the pitch. The City boss has insisted the fight for the title this season won't alter their strong relationship after working together closely for three years at the Etihad Stadium.
"Nothing changes what we live, what I think of him," Guardiola continued.
"He [Arteta] lives in London, I live here, I see him less and we talk less and that is normal. The relationship is always happy and that will stay the same."
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