Pep Guardiola admits Manchester City concern ahead of Arsenal showdown

Pep Guardiola has admitted his players might head into Sunday’s game against Arsenal a little undercooked.

Manchester City host the Gunners in an early-season title showdown, with the top two sides from each of the last two seasons already occupying those spots again this term after just four games. City have won all of their Premier League matches in 2024/25, while Arsenal have taken 10 points so far, with their sole slip-up coming at home to Brighton & Hove Albion.

While the Gunners will be without star man Martin Odegaard this weekend, the majority of Mikel Arteta’s strongest XI should be available. That’s not necessarily the case for City, who could be be without Kevin De Bruyne, while Kyle Walker, John Stones, Rodri and Phil Foden are not yet up to full speed.

Asked after Wednesday’s 0-0 draw against Inter Milan, if he was concerned that City could head into the Arsenal game a little undercooked, Guardiola replied: “Maybe, but it is what it is. I don’t control the schedule, the calendar. We have to play in the Champions League: Inter at home and now Arsenal. No complaints at all.

“The players have behaved really well so far this season. Since the Community Shield we have had a lot of [injury] problems.”

It’s a particularly intense week for City at such an early stage of the season, with the Premier League champions facing two of Europe’s top sides in just five days.

“It’s another unbelievable team and they defend so really well, they don’t concede chances. They don’t concede goals and they are really good in many aspects. They control many things. 

“They were the biggest challenge, title contender for the last two years. They are there and they will be there for many years because they created a deep squad with young players. It’s another tough game. We will see what happens on Sunday.”