Arsenal

Guillem Balague
BBC Sport Columnist

Image source, Getty Images

Former colleagues. Master and apprentice. Title rivals.

Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta's relationship has cut across a range of strands over the years and evolved along with their managerial styles.

The pair go head to head at Etihad Stadium on Sunday in a match many have billed as a Premier League title decider. A win for Guardiola and second-placed Manchester City would cut the lead of Arteta's Arsenal side to just three points, with a game in hand.

The Spaniards' relationship started in 1997 when Arteta joined Barcelona's academy - meeting his idol, Barca skipper and fellow midfielder Guardiola. Their time as team-mates was brief, but a friendship was forged.

Communication between the two managers cooled significantly when Arteta gave up his role as Guardiola's assistant in Manchester back in 2019 to take charge of Arsenal.

While the City boss's other former assistants maintained closer contact, Arteta stepped away - and that distance created silence.

While Arsenal learned to compete at the highest level, Guardiola continued to evolve.

That tension - between adapting and remaining faithful to an idea - defines the 55-year-old's career.

"He starts incorporating new concepts," said Pep Segura, former director of football at Barcelona. "Above all defensive transition, that's where he evolves enormously.

"Arteta incorporated more physical profiles than Pep. Pep seeks more technical players… Arteta looks for strength, speed, power."

But there are still plenty of points of convergence.

"Both have looked for pieces to improve the offensive transition," added Segura. "City with [Erling] Haaland… Arteta with [Viktor] Gyokeres."

There is an element where the comparison becomes most revealing. In elite football, what defines coaches is how they respond to difficulty.

Arteta is in that moment now. He has built a team capable of competing with the best. But the final step - winning consistently at the very top - is where he wants to get to.

Read more on Arteta and Guardiola

Scarlet Katz Roberts
Fan writer

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I don't think there is an adequate word to describe how nervous I feel for Arsenal's trip to the Etihad. A sports psychologist would probably have a field day and say something about reframing my thinking. After all, this is an opportunity to effectively end the title race. But the only thing I can think of doing is scheduling an anaesthetic to kick in on Sunday, lasting until 27 May.

The strangest thing about this game is that it won't decide the title. Unless Arsenal win it of course. But if City win, then it's still in both team's hands to win the league. Part of the challenge for us will be handling the shift in momentum if the worst happens at the Etihad.

There are three things I admire about City (and despise in equal measure). One is a 6ft 5in Norwegian robot, the other two are Rayan Cherki and Jeremy Doku. The unpredictability and vibrancy with which they can create has no analogue in this current Arsenal side. Their talent is appallingly, terrifyingly good. In those three players, City always have the capacity to end things quickly and without warning.

That's the cruelty of defending against great players. You can have a brilliant 89 minutes, but they only have to beat you once and Arsenal limp to the Etihad without their first choice backline (yawn). Sure, when Bukayo Saka is at full tilt he has a claim to be one of the best attackers in the league. But a combination of injuries and poor form leaves us staring down the barrel of a Hail Mary start for a 16-year-old in our most important match of the season.

I'm sorry to say this - I really am - but in my current headspace, I can only see one outcome and it sickens me. We all know what this game is going to look like. Arsenal don't need to chase the win, City do.

My rallying cry to my embattled team would be, remember who you are. Please, remember you have been the best team in the country for eight months and if Erling Haaland wheels away celebrating an early goal from a Gabriel shanked clearance, it's not the end.

If we can escape with a point, I'll be mighty relieved.

Find more from Scarlet Katz Roberts at the Goal Difference podcast, external

Emily Brobyn
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

I'm not too nervous for Arsenal's visit at the moment but ask me again when I'm getting ready to head to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

I'd almost reluctantly accepted the fact that it was Arsenal's title when they could've gone 12 points ahead. Now the gap has been cut to six, it feels like an opportunity too good to miss for City, especially with the momentum in our favour.

It feels like it means the absolute world to Arsenal. It's been a long 22-year wait for them to bring the Premier League title home – that trophy has never even seen the Emirates Stadium! Mikel Arteta is being judged on one trophy in seven years too; this is the one where they've fallen short and this has to be the season for triumph. If it isn't, it could cost him his job. Will this game decide the title? It feels more like a must-not-lose for City when it comes to the title race.

In terms of the match itself, you can't look past set-pieces when it comes to Arsenal. That's their gameplan. They've mastered the art and, while it may be divisive, it has worked for them – so far. Will it be prove to be enough though?

City have generally been hopeless at corners, so we could learn a trick or two from them in that department. Victor Gyokeres has settled into Premier League life well too – he's a constant threat. They'll be desperate to get the job done on Sunday – a win would do it. A draw could even seal it.

But the question is - will Arsenal come to east Manchester and be brave? Will they play without fear? It may help not playing in front of the expectant Emirates crowd, but the Etihad will be a cauldron of atmosphere and it's about how they handle that.

At this point, it's about the ability to handle the pressure as much as what you can produce on the pitch. City are flying right now – they have their tails up and they'll smell blood. The attack of Jeremy Doku, Antoine Semenyo, Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki has been lethal of late. Plus, we've recently triumphed over Arsenal at Wembley in the League Cup final.

Emily Brobyn is regularly on BBC Radio Manchester - find all their Man City audio here

Marissa Thomas
BBC Sport journalist

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Manchester City at Etihad Stadium (kick-off 16:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On the passing of former Arsenal goalkeeper Alex Manninger on Thursday: "Some very sad news so we want to send Alex, his family, and everybody that was part of his journey in his life our condolences and our love obviously because it was shocking news and difficult to take."

• Team news: "Bukayo Saka is out, that is for sure. The rest, let's see. Noni Madueke didn't look that bad after the game, he is quite positive and pushes through pain so I'm hopeful that he can be available"

• Arteta did not commit on the likes of Martin Odegaard, Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafior, stating: "Some players are quite close so we will try tomorrow to push everybody."

• Discussing Arsenal's injury situation heading into the Manchester City match, Mikel Arteta said: "We have coped with it all season. If you look back at the stages and players we have missed for big, big periods and where we are? It is not normal where we are. But we have coped with that because of our mentality and the solutions that we find, the way the players have stepped up and we are where we are. We are still very strong and remain the same way."

• On reaching the Champions League semi-final again: "It was a great night, it really gives us a boost. To be part of the best European clubs is a big thing and we haven't been there often. We value that and huge credit to the players for what they have done. We have to use that fuel and that energy for Sunday for the big game that we have to play."

• On facing Manchester City: "We have earned the right to be in this position, to be challenging and with the opportunity to win and to win on Sunday, arguably against the best team and the best manager that this league has ever seen. That's a huge privilege and we cannot wait to play the game. We are going to prepare the game to win it. We are not going to spend one second talking about [a draw], we prepare every game to win and that's why we are where we are. We are going to continue to do the same."

• Arteta was full of praise for departing Man City captain Bernardo Silva: "Incredible player and incredible person as well. The first time I watched him live was a PSG-Monaco [game] and straight away I fell in love with him, not only the way he plays, the way he competes, the way he lifts the game. The desire, the hunger that he has and then obviously we spent four years together. He's a top guy, you see him in any circumstances and he delivers his very best. One of those players that I think has marked his history in the Premier League."

• Arteta said he wasn't sure if Martin Zubimendi was struggling mentally with a perceived drop in form but stressed it was the club's "responsibility" to give players the tools to "understand when they are not at their best", adding Zubimendi did in his most recent outing.

• Arteta was asked about starting teenager Max Dowman and said: "He will be ready. You throw him in in any contest this kid, you know what he is going to be delivering and he has shown that this season in whatever game we have used him."

• On Pep Guardiola saying the title race is over if Arsenal win: "There are six games to go. Obviously it is a really important one for both teams. But winning a game in the Premier League is so tough for everybody so after this one there will still be some very difficult matches for all of us and we will have to wait and continue whatever happens."

Listen to live commentary of Manchester City v Arsenal from 16:30 BST on Sunday on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

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Alex Howell
Arsenal reporter

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Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Bukayo Saka is out of Sunday's game with Manchester City.

The winger has been dealing with an achilles issue and has not featured for the Gunners since the Carabao Cup final defeat by City in March.

Arteta also gave an update on winger Noni Madueke, who had to come off during the Champions League match with Sporting on Wednesday, but is hopeful the 24-year-old could be available.

"We have another training session tomorrow. He didn't look that bad after the game and he was quite positive," Arteta said of Madueke

"He is a player that pushes through pain so I am hopeful that he will be available but we will have to wait and see if he will be ready for tomorrow."

However, Arteta would not give specific updates on Jurrien Timber, Martin Odegaard or Riccardo Calafiori with "another training session tomorrow".

"We will try again. Some players are quite close but the turnaround is short.

"We will try tomorrow to push everybody and if they are in good position they will be part of us but if they are not, they will not, like they have not been for the past few weeks unfortunately."

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Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

Arsenal have indeed finished second more often than any other club in Premier League history, which has been the subject of several questions sent in via our 'Ask about Arsenal' form.

The Gunners have been runners-up nine times, including in each of the past three seasons.

However, in five of those nine campaigns, Arsenal finished at least 10 points behind the champions so it is hard to argue they 'nearly' won the title in those seasons.

If we look at the number of times that clubs finished within six points of the champions – where turning a couple of defeats or a few draws into wins could have won them the title – then Arsenal share the tag of being the Premier League's ultimate 'nearly men' with both Liverpool and Manchester United.

All three sides have been pipped to the post four times in a Premier League title race, with the Gunners the most recent to narrowly miss out when they finished just two points behind champions Manchester City two years ago.

In fact, Liverpool fans could argue that their team are actually the Premier League's ultimate 'nearly men' given how close they have repeatedly come to winning the title.

While the Reds have only finished second five times to Arsenal's nine, the average number of points they've finished behind the champions is just three compared to the Gunners' eight.

On that metric, Arsenal sit in seventh when it comes to the title near-misses.

Liverpool most recently finished behind Manchester City by just a single point in both 2018-19 and 2021-22, despite amassing a whopping 97 and 92 points respectively.

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It's a simple question.

Whose position would you rather be in - Manchester City's or Arsenal's?

The team on Monday Night Club have had their say.

"You'd much rather be Arsenal," says Chris Sutton.

Watch Monday Night Club on iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

Arsenal hold the edge in the race to snap up Newcastle United's Anthony Gordon with the 25-year-old preferring a switch to London over any other city. (Sun), external

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Alex Howell
Arsenal reporter

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Arsenal may not be convincing many that they are a team capable of winning the Premier League and Champions League double.

But Mikel Arteta called for perspective about what his side have already achieved this season.

"I wish that we were doing the Arsenal documentary this season," he said, referencing the behind-the-scenes film from the 2021-22 campaign.

"Please, enjoy where we are as a club. There's a lot of work behind it. We've done something that has never been done in the history of our club in 140 years, so that tells you the difficulty of that, and we had to do it in a very special way."

If Arsenal do go on to lift their first major trophy in six years - possibly their first Champions League - there won't be a single Gunners fan who cares about the performance in this game.

Read the full post-match reaction piece from the Sporting second leg tie here

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We asked for your views on Arsenal's 0-0 draw against Sporting, which meant they progressed to the Champions League semi-finals thanks to their 1-0 victory in the first leg.

Here are some of your comments:

Dan: We have not been as fluent recently and we gave away some decent opportunities that were not taken. Apart from that we looked solid defensively but we never really looked like scoring. Have to sharpen up for the semis.

Matthew: Not a classic, but a controlled and professional performance from Arsenal. In seasons gone by, this is exactly the sort of tie we might have let slip, so there's clear progress in how the game was managed. Sporting CP looked the more threatening side at times and created the better openings, but Arsenal stayed organised, disciplined and never really lost control of the tie. You would like to see a bit more cutting edge, particularly at home, but knockout football is about getting through. Arsenal have done that - and that's what matters.

Michael: Relieved. Frustrated. Anxious. The Gunners are moving me closer to therapy.

Alan: We have absolutely nothing up front. Two of our major signings, Gyokeres and Madueke, are totally ineffective and Martinelli produces nothing. However, I feel this is due to the robotic coaching of Arteta. I am dreading Sunday.

Anthony: A tough game for Arsenal. No sleek football nor convincing performance. But job done, through to semis.

Steve: Yeah we were not brilliant but all that matters is we are through, unlike every other English club in this year's Champions League.

Vince: Limped to the Champions League semis. Injuries abound, with Madueke joining Odegaard, Timber et al on the sidelines. One win in four games. Not a good look for the coming clash against City. Nonetheless, we are the only English club left in the Champions League and we're still top of the Premier League. Forget about all those comments about us bottling it. Just as diamonds are formed under intense pressure, I have faith that this team will emerge the same way from this mini-slump.

LJ: Victory yes but poor, very poor. What has happened to the team from the first half of the season? Doubt any of the semi finalists will be worried. If that was supposed to be a confidence boost before Sunday, it was far from that. Hard to watch.

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BBC Radio 5 Live's senior football correspondent John Murray says defensively Arsenal "have got a lot about them" but will have to go to one of the "toughest places" in their Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid.

Atletico edged past Barcelona 3-2 on aggregate to reach the semis, with the second leg playing out in front of a raucous home crowd at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.

"When Arsenal played Atletico Madrid at home in the league phase they won 4-0 so that is not a bad one to have in your locker," Murray told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"It's a totally different matter now at this end of the season, playing each other over two legs in a semi-final, but the second leg will be at the Emirates.

"The Metropolitano is right up there with the toughest places to go and they have shown that in an attacking sense this Atletico side have got a lot about them.

"There is a real good atmosphere and genuine noise inside that stadium. You have got to be on it there to perform against them.

"But in a defensive sense Arsenal have got a lot about them.

"Sporting are a capable team, Portuguese champions, and they could not find a way past David Raya in either leg. In this competition so far Arsenal have only conceded five goals in 12 matches.

"That shows you everything about their strengths."

• Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Arteta's side have the highest likelihood of winning this year's Champions League trophy with a 36.75% chance, according to Opta's Supercomputer.

In fact, the supercomputer isn't giving semi-final opponents Atletico Madrid much of a chance at all with Arsenal having a whopping 73.40% probability of reaching the final.

Unsurprisingly, that means the last Spanish side remaining have the lowest probability of winning the competition with 9.29% and just a 26.60% chance of getting past the Gunners.

Opta supercomputer Champions League predictions:

Arsenal: 36.75%

Bayern Munich: 34.61%

Paris St-Germain: 19.35%

Atletico Madrid: 9.29%

Image source, Getty Images

Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton says Arsenal are "still a capable team" and that he does not rule them out of ending the season with at least one of the Premier League and Champions League trophies.

The Gunners laboured to a goalless draw in Wednesday's quarter-final second leg against Sporting but their 1-0 first leg lead meant they reached successive semi-finals in the competition for the first time in their history and will take on Atletico Madrid for a place in the final.

"We know what the narrative will be; people will rip Arsenal to shreds for the way they attacked, or you could say how they didn't attack," Sutton told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"But I do understand towards the end of the game it is about seeing it through. Why should they go Gung ho? The objective was all about going through and finding a way.

"It wasn't perfect by any means but out of possession and defensively they do a lot right.

"It's been a struggle for a while now and things do need to change, and people will be looking ahead to the game against Manchester City and writing Arsenal off.

"They are not creating enough and that's a huge issue for Mikel Arteta. I'm sure he's thinking about it every hour of the day. The wide players are not decisive enough.

"They have a lot of work to do but I take my hat of to Arsenal in the way they defend, and recover when they lose the ball. They are not perfect at the moment but I am certainly not going to write them off and rule them out of winning trophies because they have been a little bit ineffective.

"I still think they are a capable team and it may well click now before the end of the season in that final third. Arsenal could see it through in the Premier League and the Champions League."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

On Match of the Day Champions League, Nedum Onuoha said: "In some ways, there is a lot of noise around Arsenal. Arteta and some of the players are hearing it. The questions are going to be more negative than maybe a month ago but that's because of the fact they've lost three of the last four.

"I think it's right for them to close up and say 'it's us against the world' but also it wasn't great against Sporting."

Stephen Warnock gave his view on Arteta pushing back in the media: "He obviously feels like media, everyone around and the fans, the anxiety in the crowd. He's trying to convince them that everything is good and fine. You don't have to convince everyone. If you're happy with what you're seeing.

"At this point of the season, I don't think you do enjoy football. I think you get over the line. The pressure is huge. To get over the line, for Arsenal to win a Champions League and Premier League is absolutely massive."

Arsenal are prepared to sell Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz in the summer to raise funds to sign Atletico Madrid's 26-year-old Argentina striker Julian Alvarez. (Caughtoffside, external)

Como's Spanish defender Jacobo Ramon, 21, is attracting interest from a host of clubs including Arsenal and Chelsea. (Teamtalk, external)

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