Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has doubled down on his claim that Arsenal are "really good" but believes there's plenty of positives for his side to take out of the first section of the season. It comes after the Gunners moved five points clear of the Citizens at the top of the table at the weekend.
City lost 2-1 to Brentford late in the game on Saturday, confirming that Arsenal would be at the summit of the division for Christmas - the first time they've done so since 2007. Mikel Arteta's side wouldn't be content with just that though, being given the opportunity to move further in front.
They took that chance well as a Martin Odegaard brace earned the side all three points against Wolves, despite illness working through the camp. "It’s great to be where we are and we are enjoying that moment," Arteta said in reflection of his side's start to the season before a month off.
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"Now we have a big break and we have to reflect on what we’re doing and be prepared for after the World Cup. Our aim is to play better as a team every day, to have better tools to do what we want to do. I can say it’s been phenomenal to work with these players and staff."
However, on the other side of things is Guardiola, who will now have to deal with that loss to the Bees for the next month as they plot ways to close the gap to Arsenal. While they are the favourites and being second isn't ideal, the Spaniard believes that the first part of the campaign has been fine.
"It’s been good. Before today. We go with that feeling that we lost, it’s always more difficult, but that’s the reality of this competition," he said.
"We finish [qualify] in the Champions League and the Carabao Cup we’re through and the Premier League we’re close to Arsenal who have been really, really good. And now we will be a little bit behind but it is what it is. So the second part of the season will dictate how we are, how we are playing to do it."
It remains to be seen exactly how both sides will return from the World Cup, given the unknown factor to the current season being played out. However, it could hurt each side as much as help them in the title race.
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