Mikel Arteta says his inside knowledge of Manchester City could come in handy as he prepares for a “special” first return to Eastlands as Arsenal manager on Wednesday.
The Spaniard, who was working as assistant to manager Pep Guardiola, left City in December to take his first senior managerial role.
He returns to Manchester with his side in ninth place in the Premier League but still in with a shot of a European place.
Arteta said he would have a clear idea of what Guardiola’s side were trying to do as they look to bounce back from their 2-0 defeat in Sunday’s Manchester derby.
FORMER PARTNER: Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola worked together to win the Premier League last season. Picture: John Sibley/Reuters.
He says: “It’s something different to be able to stop that and as well create the issues that I think we can create for them.
“That has to happen on the day, when they are at their best. We know what they are capable of doing, the variation they have.”
Three consecutive league wins have lifted Arsenal to within five points of fifth spot - which could be good enough to qualify for the Champions League next season, depending on the outcome of City’s appeal against their ban from European football.
Arteta said Arsenal’s recent run had kept alive their hopes of qualifying for Europe’s top club competition.
Mikel Arteta knows all about Manchester City 😎 pic.twitter.com/5gilvuFzfj
— Arsenal FC News (@ArsenalFC_fl) March 9, 2020
The former captain says: “It’s still a long way to go, we want to go game by game.
“Three weeks ago it was impossible, now it looks a little bit more possible, but still [it depends on] the results and our performances.”
**UPDATE:
The Premier League have postponed Arsenal v Manchester City as a precautionary measure due to the coronavirus outbreak.
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