Mauricio Pochettino compares Pep Guardiola with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta

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Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has drawn a comparison between Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.

Mauricio Pochettino believes there are similarities between Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta. The pair certainly know each other well, as the Arsenal gaffer used to be Guardiola’s assistant.

Arteta will face off against his old mentor when Arsenal host Manchester City in a Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. The Gunners will leapfrog the reigning champions in the league table with a win.

However, the north London club have a very poor recent Premier League record against Manchester City. They will also still be hurting from having been pipped to the title by them last season. A win on Sunday would provide the north London club with a huge psychological boost.

There is certainly a rivalry brewing between the two clubs, and between Arteta and Guardiola themselves.

Pochettino has highlighted the connection between the two Spanish coaches. He pointed out that both managers are ruthless, and have the strength to make difficult selection decisions. As quoted by Football Daily, the Chelsea boss said. “I think Pep and Mikel are the same, no? You cannot be nice for the people that don’t play.”

Arteta still chasing Guardiola

Arteta will have learned a great deal in his time working with Guardiola, which will have hugely influenced his own style of management. The 41-year-old is certainly ruthless, too. The most recent example of this being the decision to have David Raya replace Aaron Ramsdale as the club’s first choice goalkeeper.

The tactical influence is also clear. The use of inverted full-backs, for instance, is strikingly similar between how Arsenal and Manchester City play.

Of course, Arteta and Guardiola remain miles apart in terms of the silverware they have won. The Gunners’ boss is still early on in his coaching career and is yet to win a league title or European trophy. He has succeeded, though, in reviving Arsenal to the extent that they can once again seriously challenge for such honours.