Guardiola is the best manager in the world – Mikel Arteta

Ahead of their much-anticipated fixture on Sunday, Mikel Arteta has lauded the influence of his rival Pep Guardiola.

Both managers will be on the touchlines as Arsenal play Manchester City in a top-of-the-Premier League affair on Sunday, March 31.

Arteta worked under Guardiola during his time as part of the technical team at the blue side of Manchester before eventually leaving for Arsenal.

The two teams went head-to-head last season for the league title with the Gunners narrowly missing out in the final stretch of the campaign.

The two are among the favourites once again this season and ahead of the fixture, Arteta has described his countryman as being levels above others.

“He is the best manager in the world by a mile,” he noted.

“He is someone I loved working with and that will stay forever. The intelligence, the way he manages the team, an incredible work ethic, he does a lot behind the scenes that people don’t see.”

Arsenal are just a point above City on the league table and a win will further solidify their title credentials with 10 games to go.