By the time this Manchester City side becomes a thing of the past, their greatness as a team will be well and truly appreciated.
Pep Guardiola has built far too many iterations of this City side to set their marker on English football in a way not many, if any team has done in history.
The City players in question who have been a vital cog in their dominance will duly be revered over time as well.
When it comes to former Manchester United, Liverpool or Arsenal legends, they are hailed for their impact on their respective sides and the Premier League as a whole.
The Sky Blues players will be mentioned in the same breath — especially considering just how much silverware they have accrued over the years.
Arteta makes Pep Guardiola claim amid Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger chat
A manager like Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, who has both worked for Manchester City and competed against them will reflect on how eye-opening the experiences were.
The Spaniard’s focus over the past few years has been on dethroning City and becoming the best team in England; a challenge that must permit him from sitting back and admiring them as a side.
But over time, Arteta will be able to delve into why the English juggernaut were well and truly a special team.
For instance, Sir Alex Ferguson gave Arsene Wenger a massive compliment on Amazon Prime Video Sport’s documentary, Arsene Wenger: Invincible by claiming that when Arsenal went unbeaten during the 2003/2004 season, it was the greatest accomplishment in the history of English football.
Considering Ferguson and Wenger were fierce rivals during their managerial days, the former’s admission goes to show that years after, one can fully acknowledge the brilliance of even their adversaries in football.
Mikel Arteta told Sky Sports that Pep Guardiola is one of the three greatest managers to have ever graced the Premier League.
“I have to go to three. I think Sir Alex [Ferguson], obviously Arsene [Wenger] for what he did for this league and then I have to go for Pep [Guardiola].”
Enzo Maresca hailed Pep Guardiola as the Premier League’s greatest-ever manager.
Pep Guardiola naturally commands respect from Mikel Arteta
While Mikel Arteta’s ultimate goal would be to usurp the £378,846-a-week manager, he remains mindful of his legendary status in the game.
But having closely worked and learned the rules of the roost from Pep Guardiola, the Gunners manager must have a special appreciation for the latter’s genius.
As a result, Arteta is evidently able to set title rivalries aside and give Guardiola the respect he commands.
On the pitch, Manchester City and Arsenal look set to play out an intense affair in September.
Both managers will analyse each other’s sides in depth to come out on top at the Etihad Stadium.
But off the pitch, Mikel Arteta still seems to hold Pep Guardiola in high regard and the feeling must be mutual.
