Pep Guardiola says two Arsenal players taught him valuable lesson as Man City win Premier League title
The Manchester club were crowned champions for the fifth time in six years on Saturday as the Gunners, who appeared to have been pushing City close all season, lost to Nottingham Forest.
Guardiola’s side then beat Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday in a carnival atmosphere as they chased a historic treble.
The first two weeks of June will see City contest the first Manchester derby FA Cup final in history before facing Inter in Istanbul in the Champions League final.
City continued Arsenal’s lead after domestic football resumed after the World Cup with Guardiola moving away from the 4-3-3 system so prevalent in his career.
The champions switched to a three-man defensive line and Guardiola praised key players in Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji for being able to stop dangerous forwards such as Gunners stars Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.
Man City celebrate winning the Premier League title
“[Nathan Ake] was fundamental for us,’ Guardiola told Sky Sports.
“I learned this season that when you play against Bukayo Saka, Vinicius Junior, Gabriel Martinelli or Mohamed Salah, you need good defenders to win one-on-one duels.
“They only need one action to beat you. Nathan gave us a boost that we didn’t have in the past.
Sports standard
