Pep Guardiola insists Arsenal’s have it ‘easy’ as the Gunners bid to end a 20-year wait for a Premier League title… with the Man City boss ramping up pressure ahead their crunch clash

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has claimed Arsenal have it ‘easy’ in the Premier League title race ahead of their crucial meeting at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

The title rivals meet in a potentially crucial clash, with just one point separating the two sides.

Arsenal travel to Manchester at the top of the Premier League on Liverpool’s goal difference, with Mikel Arteta’s side one point ahead of defending champions Man City.

Guardiola has increased the pressure on the Gunners and his former assistant Arteta by claiming they have it ‘easy’ compared to his side.

Man City boss suggested Arsenal have something to prove and claims the Gunners will benefit from ‘something special’ if they bid for a first Premier League title since 2004.

Guardiola claimed the Gunners are benefiting from a desire to end their two-decade title drought

The comments from Man City bosses increase the pressure on Arteta’s side ahead of Sunday’s match

He insisted his side’s challenge would be tougher as Man City aim to stay at the top and secure a record fourth consecutive league title.

“To fight for a title you haven’t won for years is ‘wow, it’s easy’,” Guardiola said, according to the Guardian. ‘We’ve been here for many, many years – and we’re still here.

‘I’ve said it a trillion times, the greatest success of this club is that we are still here after many years – and people can’t imagine how hard it is.

‘We are the benchmark for the new generations in this club, because what we have done is really good. To be honest, I didn’t expect to be here with the problems we had this season, being in this position now.

“Of course what we’ve done before is important, but I didn’t expect us to get where we are now. But after more than 20 years, Arsenal haven’t won the Premier League yet, so they’ll have something to prove and that’s normal.

‘When Liverpool wins the title after many years, it is something special.’

Man City got the better of their title rivals last season, with Guardiola’s side letting Arsenal down as they collapsed in the build-up.

The Gunners were eight points ahead of Man City, but after a run of just two wins in eight games, Arteta’s side eventually finished second.

Guardiola suggested his side would have a tougher time as they bid for a fourth successive league title

Man City went on to win a fifth title in six seasons as part of a famous Treble.

Arsenal defeated Manchester City in the Emirates earlier this season, with Gabriel Martinelli’s late goal securing a 1-0 win in October.

Guardiola’s side will seek revenge at the Etihad as they aim for a first win over a top six side in the Premier League this season.

Man City will be without key defenders Kyle Walker and John Stones for this match after the paid players suffered injuries in friendlies for England during the international break.