Pep Guardiola Claims Arsenal’s Spending Isn’t Scrutinised Like Man City’s

Pep Guardiola has hit out at what he sees as a double standard in the way Manchester City and Arsenal are judged over their transfer spending.

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash between Arsenal and Man City at the Emirates, the Catalan suggested his side are unfairly singled out as the league’s big spenders despite Arsenal’s huge outlay under Mikel Arteta.

The Gunners splashed more than £250 million this summer, bringing in the likes of Eberechi Eze, Viktor Gyokeres and Martín Zubimendi, which pushes Arteta’s total spend beyond £900m since taking over in 2019.

By contrast, Guardiola has spent around £870m in that same period — but insists City are always the ones portrayed as financial heavyweights.

Pep Guardiola sarcastically responds to spending claims

Guardiola was in a sarcastic mood when asked about Arsenal’s transfer business, joking that any success for his former assistant will be credited to spending, not coaching.

“The only thing I want to say to my friend Mikel Arteta is if he wins the title it will be just because he spent money, not because he worked hard or because of his players,” Guardiola said.

“It’s like Liverpool too. If Arne [Slot] wins it again, it will be because he spent a lot of money, right? Because it’s not just Man City that spend, right?”

He added: “I know how they’ve been treated is completely different, but what they want to spend is because they want it and it’s fine.”

Arsenal summer signings praised by Guardiola

Despite his frustration at the narrative, Guardiola admitted that Arsenal’s transfer business has been “wise” and has taken the team to another level.

“They spent what they believe they can to compete against the best teams in the Premier League and Europe and they’ve reached that level,” he said.

“Step by step, window by window, Arsenal is getting better. Last season in Europe, they made an incredible step forward and for me they are the most solid team. They don’t make mistakes in the back.”

Arsenal set-piece threat worries Guardiola

Guardiola also highlighted Arsenal’s danger from dead-ball situations under set-piece coach Nicolas Jover, who previously worked at City.

“They have pace in front, and they have of course the set pieces with Nico, who was here,” he said. “So it’s a team that is good in every department. We know the quality that they have.”

Arsenal scored 22 goals from corners and free kicks last season – the most of any team in the Premier League.

Rodri injury update ahead of Arsenal vs Man City

City face an anxious wait over the fitness of Rodri, who asked to come off an hour into the 2-0 Champions League win against Napoli on Thursday.

“I don’t know yet [if he will be fit],” Guardiola said. “With him on the pitch we feel more comfortable but of course after injury you have to be alert, and we will decide on Sunday.”

The Spaniard has now started three consecutive games for the first time since suffering an ACL injury against Arsenal last year.

Arsenal vs Man City: a huge early-season test

The title race narrative has been building all week, not least after Noel Gallagher admitted he’d “rather Liverpool win the Premier League title than Arsenal” because of his dislike of the Gunners.

Arsenal beat City 5-1 at the Emirates last season and will be hoping to repeat the feat in front of a home crowd.

But with Liverpool currently three points clear at the top, both Guardiola and Arteta know that defeat this weekend would leave them playing catch-up early in the campaign.