Arsenal have taken Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City all the way to the final day in this Premier League title race, but may fall just short.
Mikel Arteta’s side have been outstanding this season, but they need West Ham to do them a favour on the final day if they are to beat Man City to the Premier League title.
This is the second season in a row in which Arsenal have challenged Guardiola’s side at the top of the Premier League, but they took the race a lot further this time, and showed that they are capable of going toe to toe with this Man City team.
Guardiola has now praised Arsenal on the eve of the final day, in which Arteta’s side will have to beat Everton, and hope Man City lose or draw at home to West Ham.
Pep Guardiola claims Arsenal will be Man City’s main challengers again
Speaking to Melissa Reddy of Sky Sports, Guardiola claimed he was certain that Arsenal would bounce back even stronger next season if they did not win the title this time.
“For the future, Arsenal are giving the message, and we take it,” he stated.
“I have few certain things in my life, like waking up in the morning and going to sleep at night. It’s going to happen for the rest of my life.
“The other certain? With the age they have, with the manager they have, with the way they’re playing for the last two seasons, they will stay here for a long, long time. That’s why we get the message.
“Whatever happens on Sunday, if you don’t start to be ready to compete with them again, they will take our position.”
Pep Guardiola praises Mikel Arteta impact at Arsenal
Guardiola also praised his former assistant Arteta, and highlighted the excellent job he has done since rejoining the club he once captained.
“I know Mikel, I know the team, I know Arsenal as an institution,” he added.
“I know Mikel. He is a huge competitor. I think our chemistry when we were together, I felt it. Whatever happens or whatever the moment or position he is [in] with Arsenal, he will do it.”
Arteta and Guardiola knew each other from their days at Barcelona, and Arteta spent a few years working as his assistant after retiring.
The pair are now two of the best managers in the world right now, and even if Arteta does fall short of usurping City to the title, it is clear that whilst he is at Arsenal, they will challenge for major trophies.
