Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has praised Arsenal’s transfer strategy under coach Mikel Arteta, calling the club’s summer spending “wise” and a sign of their steady rise as title contenders.
Guardiola, who spoke to BBC Sport on Friday ahead of a key Premier League weekend, said Arsenal’s progress has been deliberate and effective.
“All I can say is they have been wise. 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. Step by step, window by window, Arsenal is getting better,” Guardiola said.
The City boss also recalled his team’s heavy 5-1 defeat at the Emirates Stadium last season.
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“We forgot to do what we had to do, and after that it was easy for Arsenal. The last 15-20 minutes were a disaster. Hopefully, this season we can make a little bit more challenge,” he admitted.
When asked about midfielder Rodri’s recovery from an ACL injury, Guardiola urged patience.
“Not yet,” he said of Rodri’s full return to confidence. “The greatest players I ever trained, what I see is here [pointing to his head]. They are confident in themselves, and Rodri is that. But the knee needs its process. As much as he’s patient with that, and we are patient with him, he will be back.”