How do Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta compare ahead of Man City v Arsenal clash?
With the Gunners leading City in the Premier League title race, Friday’s fourth-round FA Cup contest at the Etihad Stadium will whet the appetite.
Pep Guardiola comes up against his former assistant Mikel Arteta for the first time this season as Manchester City host Arsenal in the FA Cup fourth round on Friday.
With the Gunners leading the champions in the title race, the eagerly-anticipated contest at the Etihad Stadium is sure to whet the appetite for their two Premier League encounters still to come this season.
Here, the PA news agency looks at the two managers:
Experience
Yet the former apprentice was a key part of City’s backroom staff for three years and appears to have learned the lessons well.
He is just over three years into his managerial career but, despite a rocky start and losing six of his seven games against Guardiola, has a strong record and an FA Cup triumph under his belt. This season’s title challenge has marked a further step up.
Big decisions
These were controversial calls but time has proved him right. Similarly, Arteta made the bold decision to offload club captain and key striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang last season.
It could be argued this cost the club a place in the Champions League but the Londoners now look a stronger and more united team without the divisive presence of the Gabon international.
Other similarities
They are strong leaders, clear thinkers and highly energetic characters that get emotionally involved in games from the touchline. Both have proved effective communicators to their players.
Differences
Whereas previously Fernandinho and now Rodri have been fine anchors for City, Guardiola’s emphasis remains on what these players can do in possession. With Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka in midfield, Arsenal are more physical.
This season
This prompted Guardiola to launch a remarkable broadside at his players last week, accusing them of lacking hunger and intensity.
This has not been the case at Arsenal. The arrivals of two former City players in Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko injected energy into Arteta’s side in the summer and momentum has built ever since. Arteta’s job has been to ensure standards do not drop.
