Guardiola ramps up thoughts video games with Arsenal boss Arteta forward of crunch conflict

Pep Guardiola has resorted to mind games ahead of Sunday’s crunch Premier League showdown between Manchester City and Arsenal at the Etihad.

Guardiola claims he isn’t good at getting into the heads of rival bosses. But no-one was fooled when the Spaniard kicked off the psychological warfare against his main title rivals, by telling them they could be tired ahead of their trip to Manchester this weekend.

Mikel Arteta’s men were forced to face Atalanta in Italy on Thursday night, due to the new schedule of the revamped Champions League. And while Arsenal were toiling towards a goalless draw in Bergamo, Guardiola and his City stars were putting their feet up back home. Guardiola admits City could have a slight advantage – but also said it wasn’t before time.

He said: “It’s an advantage – but I’ll make a list of the last six years how many times it has happened to us. I have a huge list to show you, but of course it is an advantage.”

If Guardiola thinks his English champions will start the seismic showdown fresher, he still appreciates how strong the challenge will be from Arsenal. Arteta’s men pushed City all the way for most of last season in a bid to dethrone them, before coming up just short.

But Guardiola fears Arsenal are even stronger and more dangerous this time round, even without the injured Martin Odegaard.

He said: “They have always been tight games, because we are a good team, but they are good too. They do many good things, high pressing, defending deep, transitions. They are a complete team, that’s why they have been our biggest rivals.

“Every season they get stronger. They have a deeper squad, adding more players with top quality. You can ask him (Arteta), because if I say something they will say I’m playing mind games. But they have been close, but we are still so strong and are looking forward to the game.”

A win for City would see them charge into a five point lead over Arsenal, who’ve finished runners up in the Premier League the last two seasons. But Guardiola insists the result will count for little in September, apart from boosting the confidence of the team that wins.

He said: “At an early stage of the season, there is nothing more (significant) than the mood for the next games. In terms of the table, it isn’t much important so much. It will be important when we go to London for the second part of the season.”

Guardiola, meanwhile, has revealed he could be boosted by having Kevin De Bruyne fit and available to face Arsenal. De Bruyne damaged his groin in the Champions League draw with Inter Milan this week, but could be fit to play this weekend if he comes through training on Saturday morning.

Guardiola added: “He feels a little bit better today, but we have not yet had training and we will see. He could be (involved).”