Pep Guardiola tells Mikel Arteta that Man City 'will beat Arsenal' under one condition

Lewis Henderson
Fri, 17 Apr 2026 13:44:36 +0000

Pep Guardiola has told Mikel Arteta his Man City side "will beat Arsenal" under one condition.

The Citizens face the Gunners in arguably the biggest game of both teams' season on Sunday evening.

Arsenal currently sit six points ahead of City but Guardiola's men have a game in hand on Arteta's.

A victory for the Citizens will leave them breathing down the neck of the Gunners, with their League Cup final win still fresh in the memory of many Arsenal fans.

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Speaking ahead of the key fixture, Guardiola told the press: "If we play like the second-half [of the Carabao Cup final] during 95 minutes and they play like the second-half, we are going to win.

"Well, maybe not because football is unpredictable, but it will be closer. That is what we want.

"I know Mikel. They are going to adjust something, and we have to prepare to do it.

"In the end, it is more simple. It is how your players individually win the me against you and how they are able to do it."

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When asked whether the Carabao Cup final was the start of Man City getting the better of Arsenal, the former Barcelona boss said: "We will be ready. I do not know how we will approach. It was a final, this is the Premier League.

"The Carabao Cup is important, but the Premier League is much more. Twenty-two years without winning. If I give you the game of absolutes, that if they win, it will be over - there is a mental aspect.

"Of course, we respect them so much and the quality they have - I have no doubts about that, but it's about how we approach tactically and mentally. That is all I am concerned about."

City have won their last three games against big six sides, smashing Liverpool out of the FA Cup 4-0 and brushing off Chelsea away from home 3-0.

Guardiola's side have had extra rest coming into this game, after Arsenal saw out Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League with a 0-0 draw, winning on aggregate 1-0.

The City boss was full of praise for his former colleague's team, saying: "They are strong in all departments. The duals, the physicality.

"They are really good with the second-balls, when they defend deep their transition is good - it is one of the best of the best. They are so aggressive and set-pieces - that's why they are who they are.

"They have been in the semi-final of the Champions League, top of the Premier League all season. I am proud to be there still challenging them."

Guardiola was clear to say that if the result does not go their way, "it's over" for City.

He continued: "But there is still games to play. The reality is there are seven games left for us in the Premier League and that is the decisive moment.

"Maybe they are not at their best, but they are the only English team in the Champions League and they have been the best so far. We want to challenge them.

"I said today to the players, it is just a football game and we have to approach it like a football game. If you get distracted by emotions, that is how you lose focus.

"The target is to perform well and that is exactly what you have got to do and all the aspects required to challenge a team like Arsenal. The confidence is good, we are ready."