Arsenal are preparing to go toe to toe with Manchester City in the Premier League title race again, after two seasons where they fell just short.
Man City have now won the last four titles in a row under Pep Guardiola, but Mikel Arteta’s side will back themselves to challenge again in the hope that they can triumph for the first time since 2004.
Arsenal appear better prepared for a title challenge than they were this time last year. Kai Havertz has now settled, having struggled in his early months at the club, Jurrien Timber is back from injury and they have signed Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori.
There has not been too much movement from either side in the transfer window yet, although Man City have sold Julian Alvarez, and brought in Brazil winger Savinho from their City Football Group Affiliate clubs, with the former Troyes loanee thriving in La Liga with Girona last year.
Arsenal are closing in on the signing of Mikel Merino, but the Spaniard has not joined yet, and Arsenal have only signed one first-team player, whilst also letting Emile Smith Rowe leave. However, this has not stopped Guardiola from highlighting Arsenal’s spending.
Pep Guardiola fires spending shot at Arsenal
Speaking in a press conference ahead of Manchester City’s Community Shield clash with Manchester United, Guardiola was asked about Arsenal and United’s spending, and he claimed that it is only ever highlighted when Man City spend.
“Many years they have done it. Many years. That is not news, (only) just when City spend money,” he stated.
“Of course I am concerned for many years because of how good they are, every year they are getting better and better.”
Pep Guardiola has his eye on Arsenal pre-season
Guardiola also admitted that he has been impressed by Arsenal’s pre-season performances, which included a 4-1 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the Emirates Cup.
“Let’s see if Arsenal will play at the same level they did last season. I saw them against Leverkusen, they are on fire. Every year it looks like it will be more and more difficult.
“Everyone wants the crown we have had for four years.”
Pep Guardiola is being hypocritical over Arsenal and Man City spending
As it stands, Arsenal’s only senior addition is Calafiori, whilst City have added Savinho, with both signings of similar status and value.
City may yet still do more business, but compared to last year, both sides have been quiet in what has been a difficult market.
Man City have spent heavily under Guardiola, bringing in expensive players in specialist positions for years, whilst Arsenal have had to recruit smarter given their inferior transfer resources, and he is perhaps the one manager who cannot point to spending as an advantage for another team.
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