On Friday, for the second time this season, Guardiola missed a City pre-match press conference for “personal reasons”. But compared to the standards set by the City teams of 2019 or 2023, it was appalling. The objective of the Guardiola teams was always to pull the opponent apart with fast and fluent passing. Now Arteta and his coaches have taken the part of the game Guardiola discarded, considering it beneath his interest, and forged it into a weapon to win the title at Guardiola’s expense. It would be best for all concerned to call it a day.

Source: The Irish Times February 02, 2026 15:08 UTC