Pep Guardiola named two Arsenal players as major parts of their Premier League title challenge during Manchester City’s celebrations on Sunday.
The Manchester club were crowned champions for the fifth time in six years on Saturday as the Gunners, who looked to have been pushing City close all season, lost to Nottingham Forest.
Guardiola’s side then beat Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday in front of a carnival atmosphere as they chase an historic treble.
The first two weeks of June will see City contest the first Manchester derby FA Cup final in history before taking on Inter in Istanbul in the Champions League final.
City chased down Arsenal’s lead following the resumption of domestic football after the World Cup with Guardiola straying from the 4-3-3 system so prevalent in his career.
The champions have switched to a three-man defensive line and Guardiola praised key players in Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji for being able to stop dangerous forward such as Gunners stars Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.
“[Nathan Ake] has been fundamental for us,’ Guardiola told Sky Sports.
“I learnt this season when you play against Bukayo Saka, Vinicius Junior, Gabriel Martinelli or Mohamed Salah, you need proper defenders to win duels one-on-one.
“They need just one action to beat you. Nathan gave us a boost that we did not have in the past.”
