There has been an acceptance among many in the Premier League that Manchester City, backed by their super-rich owners, are simply uncatchable while is at the helm.
Arguably just two fanbases in the country do not subscribe to that theory. know that can be bested in a Premier League title race having lived that reality.
The other is arguably Arsenal. Over the past couple of seasons, momentum has been building with but they have not quite managed to topple the behemoth. In the 2023/24 campaign, there was an acceptance that you could not go toe-to-toe with City and expect to beat them so set his side up not to lose - which they didn't.
This season, went for the jugular and went toe-to-toe with City in their own backyard and if not for a red card and a late John Stones equaliser, they would have laid down a huge marker in the title race. And yet, even with the Gunners playing some of the best football in the top flight, there is still a lingering doubt as to whether they have what it takes to win the league while Guardiola is in situ.
That concern could become a thing of the past by next season should Guardiola move on from the Etihad Stadium. reports on Monday that the FA have made an informal enquiry to the City boss over the prospect of taking on the England job and by Guardiola's own admission - any likely outcome is still on the table.
Should he decide to leave City and move to international football, the ramifications for Arsenal and Arteta specifically become enormous. For , he will likely be judged much more harshly than at present.
READ MORE:
READ MORE:
There will be a huge pressure on him to deliver results in the trophy room for the Gunners post-Guardiola as everything is in place to do it. Like City now, they have a settled squad with title race experience and a manager who has implemented his philosophy on the group.
If they are then to be pipped by Liverpool or a resurgent Chelsea, Manchester United or even City, to the Premier League crown, questions will be asked. No longer will the Premier League be considered a race to finish behind Guardiola's men but rather it shall be seen through the optics that Arsenal are the favourites and Arteta will have to deliver.
