Arsenal and Man City icon reveals why Mikel Arteta is a ‘copy’ of Pep Guardiola ahead of Premier League showdown

Former Arsenal and Manchester City full-back Gael Clichy has explained why he feels the Gunners have a copy of the Etihad Stadium head coach in Mikel Arteta.

The Premier League heavyweights go head-to-head at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon, with Manchester City knowing that victory would ensure their place at the top of the table heading into the October international break.

City come into the fixture off the back of a mixed run of form, having recovered from two successive defeats with a victory in UEFA Champions League action on Wednesday night, as goals from Phil Foden, Julian Alvarez, and Jeremy Doku recorded a 1-3 win at RB Leipzig.

While Pep Guardiola will undoubtedly have plenty to think about himself when it comes to his starting line-up, Mikel Arteta has overseen some significant changes in goal for the Gunners, with David Raya largely replacing Aaron Ramsdale as the club’s Premier League number one choice.

Speaking as part of an exclusive conversation with Genting Casino, Premier League icon and former Manchester City and Arsenal defender Gael Clichy has explained ahead of Sunday afternoon’s match-up why he believes the goalkeeping situation at the Emirates Stadium has provided why Mikel Arteta is a ‘copy’ of his former colleague in Pep Guardiola.

Gael Clichy explained, “Mikel Arteta has shown again why he’s a copy of Pep Guardiola. One of the main qualities of Pep (Guardiola), he’s ruthless, he doesn’t care who you are. (Mikel) Arteta bringing in David Raya is the same situation, he doesn’t want Aaron Ramsdale to relax.”

He continued, “(Aaron) Ramsdale was the only goalkeeper competing for the number one spot, now he has tough competition.”

Gael Clichy has referred back to the situation at Manchester City in 2016 that saw Pep Guardiola axe the then-Etihad number one choice Joe Hart upon joining the club, as the Englishman did not suit his playing style.

“With Joe Hart, the first quality Pep Guardiola wanted was his goalkeeper to be great with his feet, which he felt Joe wasn’t and Claudio Bravo was,” said Clichy. “But, personally, I think Hart was a much better player than Bravo was.

“In that situation, Hart was one of the faces of the club and perhaps Guardiola realised he had to deal with him quickly for it to be less of a problem than it could have been.  Hart had so much presence within the team, to the fans and the youth team, but Guardiola had to do what he thought was right for the club.

“Aaron Ramsdale doesn’t have the same status as Hart did, but I can see the resemblance in the situation.”

Manchester City travel to North London to take on Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon, with Rico Lewis expected to occupy a midfield role following on from his impressive showing at the Red Bull Arena on Wednesday night.

Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne will both be absent due to suspension and injury respectively, while John Stones is not expected to be fully match-fit and as such will play no part in the contest at the Emirates Stadium.