Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says he expects Arsenal to be competing for titles on a regular basis in the years to come.

The 5-time Premier League champion claims that Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has created a team reminiscent of those managed by Arsene Wenger during his early years at the club:

“They were the biggest rival last season. In the past, they were not there, but they arrived now and will stay there for a long time. Arsenal are back.”

“When I was a young boy and starting as a manager at Barcelona, I know they fought Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United team. Then for many years, they were not there but now they’re back.

“They are a [title] contender and when you see in the calendar it says you go to the Emirates, [you know] it’s a tougher one.”

Guardiola is paying Arsenal and Arteta a huge compliment

Of course, with Guardiola having a very good relationship with Arteta, it’s not surprising that the City manager has sent plenty of praise the way of his former assistant.

However, there is an extra layer of respect there from Guardiola who has clearly been impressed with how Arsenal have evolved since Arteta’s appointment.

In Wenger’s first decade in the hot seat, the Gunners were a formidable team to face and Guardiola feels the London club have finally returned to that level.

Arsenal must step out of City’s shadow

If they are to reach the same heights that Wenger’s team achieved, though, the Gunners need a statement victory against England’s best team in recent years.

As Wenger once did when he beat United twice on the way to winning his first title for Arsenal in 1998, Arteta’s men must slay the dragon and defeat City this weekend.

Watch Chris Wheatley’s preview of Arsenal v Manchester City on Shots!TV here