Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola acknowledged the tough situation Arsenal face ahead of their Premier League clash but pointed out that City have endured similar challenges over the years.
Guardiola expressed empathy for Arsenal’s fixture congestion but noted that he could provide a “huge list” of occasions where Manchester City have been at a disadvantage due to scheduling.
Arsenal are set to face Atalanta away on Thursday night in the opening round of Champions League games, as UEFA stretches matches across three days to showcase their revamped competition. Meanwhile, City will play Inter at home on Wednesday, effectively giving them two extra days of rest and preparation before Sunday’s Premier League showdown at the Etihad.
Mikel Arteta and Arsenal have voiced their frustration with the situation, having requested the same consideration that City received but being denied by UEFA. Guardiola acknowledged Arsenal’s concerns, agreeing that City do gain an edge in what could be a tightly contested match.
However, Guardiola was quick to remind everyone that City have faced similar challenges in the past. For instance, the team must play a League Cup match against Watford just 49 hours after their game with Arsenal, due to UEFA scheduling and local police requirements.
“It’s definitely an advantage,” Guardiola admitted regarding City’s extra recovery time this week. “But if you look at the past six years, I could show you a massive list of times when we were in a similar position. Still, in this case, it is an advantage.”
A win on Sunday could see City extend their lead over Arsenal to five points, while also preserving their unbeaten home record, which has stood since November 2022 when Brentford defeated them in the Premier League. Before kick-off, City could be knocked off the top of the table, with Newcastle, Liverpool, and Aston Villa all playing earlier in the weekend.
