Arsenal are currently sitting comfortably at the top of the table with a six-point lead and are still pushing for both the league title and European glory. They also have a tough Champions League semi-final clash against Atlético Madrid coming up.

Speaking before Sunday’s big game at the Etihad, Guardiola spoke highly of Mikel Arteta’s team, describing them as a side he respects deeply and keeps a close eye on.

“I enjoy watching them a lot. There are many things you can learn from how they play,” he said.

This season, Arsenal’s style has sparked different opinions, especially because of how effective they’ve been from set-pieces. In fact, 37% of their 62 league goals have come from dead-ball situations. However, they’ve struggled a bit in open play recently, managing just two goals from open play in their last five matches.

Even with that criticism, Guardiola believes Arsenal’s consistency and strong mentality make them serious title contenders, especially considering how long they’ve waited to win the league.

“They have something special that makes them different. I can see it clearly,” he added.

He also highlighted how ending a long trophy drought can give a team a mental boost, using City’s own journey to dominance as an example.

Arsenal’s recent loss to Bournemouth gave City the chance to close the gap, while City’s win over Chelsea has made the title race even tighter. Stats from Opta suggest Arsenal’s title chances have dropped slightly, while City’s have improved as the season enters its final phase.

With everything on the line, Sunday’s clash could be a defining moment in deciding who lifts the Premier League trophy, as both teams feel the pressure with the season nearing its end.