Only four-and-a-half years ago, Mikel Arteta was sitting next to Pep Guardiola on the Manchester City bench as his assistant coach. Now, he is leading his second title charge in as many seasons against his former superior. When third-place City host first-place Arsenal on 31 March, it’s master vs apprentice, title defender vs challenger, sky blue vs red, in what could be a crucial match in this season’s enthralling title race.
Despite the Gunners leading the league ahead of Liverpool (on goal difference) and the Cityzens (by one point) with ten games remaining, it still feels like the title is Manchester City’s to lose. Guardiola’s side have been crowned champions in the last three seasons and have won five out of six going back to 2018.
Just when you think they might be struggling, City typically find a rich run of form that propels them to the top. Arteta found that out the hard way last season, when his team were ultimately eclipsed having spent a total of 248 days top – the most for any team who failed to win the title in English top-flight history.
It doesn’t matter that Arsenal have won all eight of their league games in 2024, outscoring their opponents 33-4, that they statistically have the best attack and defence in the league, or that they won the reverse fixture in October 1-0. They are the underdogs in this battle until they prove they are not.
“Arsenal are the underdogs until they prove they are not”
Nevertheless, there is a reason the title race is more open this season than in many previous ones. Arsenal and Liverpool have both improved considerably this season, not least due to their strong summer transfer business.
With the additions of Kai Havertz and particularly Declan Rice, Arsenal have gained versatility and robustness. Their spine of William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Rice and Havertz is tall, strong, fast and excels in winning duels. All these players are excellent out of possession and all of them thrive in a transitional game.
Saliba and Gabriel make one of the best centre-back partnerships out there, while Declan Rice is arguably the best defensive-minded midfielder in the world, and possibly the best-equipped to deal with Kevin de Bruyne. And while Havertz experienced a difficult start to life in North London, he has shown his value recently in a run of games as an out-and-out centre-forward, having scored in four straight league appearances.
Additionally, Jorginho and Martin Ødegaard provide composure and technical security to cope with the Cityzens’ press, and to enable Arsenal to have longer spells in possession.
On paper, the Gunners boast as good a spine as any to play against City at the Etihad – capable of stifling the Blues’ attack, while providing significant threat on the break.
But it would be foolish to underestimate the potency of Manchester City. When Arsenal beat them with a late winner at the Emirates in October, Guardiola’s side were without the all-important Rodri and De Bruyne, and started a midfield three which included Rico Lewis as the right-sided No. 8 and Bernardo Silva as the No. 6. They will be a stronger force this time around.
Phil Foden is having the best season of his career and De Bruyne looks set to be fit and well-rested for the clash, after having recently struggled with injuries. And one can never count out Erling Haaland. Despite his relative decline in goalscoring prowess this season, he is still the league’s top scorer.
Tactically, it is probable that both coaches will place a greater-than-usual emphasis on protecting their backlines. Arteta is likely to keep Declan Rice in deeper midfield next to Jorginho, to provide Arsenal with more steel against City’s excellent forwards and to keep the aging Jorginho from being exposed by De Bruyne.
Meanwhile, Guardiola may be tempted to start Bernardo Silva or Mateo Kovacic deep next to Rodri. The extra midfielder would add a safety net, both in terms of playing out from the back against Arsenal’s often ferocious press, and against the Gunners’ transition threat. It would also free up De Bruyne, allowing him a roaming role and enabling his connection with Haaland to flourish.
The match is far from a title decider – there are three clubs in the title race after all, and with ten games to go, it is simply too early for that. But there is no doubt that it is hugely meaningful for both teams’ seasons.
This may not yet be Arteta’s time to dethrone his master. But with his side steadily improving and Guardiola’s reign in Manchester nearer to the end than the beginning, it feels inevitable that the apprentice will win a Premier League title of his own eventually. For now, Guardiola’s class is still in session.
Aspiring journalist, particularly interested in covering politics and sports.