Another ‘Finalissima’ for the Premier between Guardiola and Arteta

If the league championships reward something, it is sustained regularity during a long-distance race that, in the case of the Premierlasts a total of 38 days. Now, the match they are going to play Manchester City y Arsenal under the watchful eye of Etihad Stadium presents itself as an authentic Very final for the title.

Both Guardiola as ArtetaYes, they already began to dispute the clash a few hours before. “We have the opportunity to win against the best team and coach that this Liga have ever seen,” he pointed out. Mikel, while Pep recognized that they must “give a perfect performance”… although he pointed out that “they have something that makes them unique” in relation to the hunger of the Arsenal for winning the Premier 22 years later.

It is by no means the first time that both have found themselves in this position. In fact, with the exception of last year, where the Liverpool He barely had any opposition. City y Arsenal They have battled in recent seasons to occupy the throne of English football… with an outcome that, to date, has always fallen to the ‘cityzen’ team.

The scenario is once again ‘traced’ to that of the previous precedents, with the Manchester City acting as a pursuer over a Arsenal increasingly seasoned who, however, have been finding it difficult to resist the pressure. In both 22-23 and 23-24, the Gunners were leaders with a one-point lead at this point in the championship… and they ended up biting the dust.

On this occasion, those of Arteta He has stood on this day with a six-point margin. Now, the Manchester City He still has mathematics on his side: they have the match against him pending. Crystal Palace and, if you win this Very finalthey would be equal in the classification to Arsenal. If fulfilled, the outcome of the Premier It could be resolved by the general goal difference that, right now, benefits the London team by just three goals.

We prepare the game to win. We are not going to spend a second talking about the tie

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal coach

“We are ready. Six points is not a small distance. But we have the opportunity to achieve it,” predicted a Pep Guardiola who, even so, is aware that “it’s over” if they don’t win this “final.” ArtetaIn any case, he does not want to speculate. “We prepared the game to win. We are not going to spend a second talking about the tie. We know what we have to do.”

Guardiola lifts City… and Arsenal has doubts

Since the start of the season, the Arsenal began to mark a step that the Manchester City He did not seem capable of sustaining… even though the first leg was declared a ‘no match’ (1-1). In fact, the only time they were tied on points was on the first day after both started with victories against Manchester United (0-1) y Wolves (0-4).

Once he Arsenal left behind the defeat against Liverpool (0-1) and said tie against those of Guardiolathey picked up cruising speed and, since day 7, they have not relinquished a lead that has been dyed red for a total of 27 dates. He Citymeanwhile, has followed a more irregular path that, despite settling in second place since the 13th matchday, was opening a gap that rose to nine points after the draws against Nottingham Forest y West Ham.

Both results, together with the elimination in Champions against him Real Madridthey seemed to have knocked out the City. However, Guardiola managed to lift his team off the canvas and win the final of the Carabao against him Arsenal It was a psychological blow from which the Gunners are still trying to recover. “Now it’s up to us and we’re ready. We’ve sold out. Everything is perfect,” he said. Pep.

Since then, the Arsenal has reaped the same defeats (three) as in the rest of the season… and not even qualification to the semifinals of Champions for the second consecutive edition it sends signs of having left behind the worst moment of play in the ‘Era Arteta’…even though Mikel classified it as “a great night to gain momentum.”

Now it’s up to us and we are ready. We have sold out tickets. everything is perfect

Pep Guardiola, Manchester City manager

There is still a world ahead and the outcome, once again, aims to be a ‘photo finish’. Now, this new fight between Manchester City y Arsenal It’s not just another game. It is a Very final for the Premier: the seventh, and who knows if the last, of Pep Guardiola to break the tie with Bob Paisley…or the first for a Mikel Arteta ‘thirsty’ to return glory to the Gunners more than two decades later.