Mikel Arteta has hailed Pep Guardiola as ‘the best manager in history’ as Arsenal try to hold off Manchester City and win the Premier League.
Arsenal boast a six-point lead over Man City at the top of the Premier League with 13 games remaining.
It looked as though Arsenal’s advantage would be nine after they beat Sunderland 3-0 on Saturday and watched on as Liverpool led Man City with just ten minutes remaining.
But Guardiola’s side scored two late goals to leave Anfield with a huge victory and restore their six-point deficit on title favourites Arsenal.
Arteta is hoping to become the first Arsenal manager since Arsene Wenger to lift the Premier League trophy, having won two league titles as Guardiola’s assistant at Man City.
Arteta says it was a ‘privilege’ to work under Guardiola and declared his former boss as the ‘best manager in history’.
‘I’ve learnt from Pep since I was 15, when we first met at Barcelona,’ Arteta told TNT Sports when asked what he learnt from his time under Guardiola.
‘Then I had the privilege to work with him and to experience so many incredible moments together. He was a master, in my opinion the best in history.
‘He has revolutionised the game and the way people understand the game. To be a part of that was just an incredible experience, I’m very, very grateful.’
Guardiola has won league titles in England, Spain and Germany and holds the record for the most consecutive league games won in the Premier League, La Liga and Bundesliga.
One record Guardiola does not own is the most trophies won by a football manager, with Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson holding that accolade.
Guardiola is not the only legendary figure Arteta has learnt from, with the Arsenal manager playing under Wenger during his playing career.
Discussing his time under Wenger and the lessons he learned, Arteta added: ‘The first thing, his love and respect for the game.
‘And then how much he wanted every player to express themselves. He was really good at being very firm with what he wanted, but allowing you the freedom and the space to make decisions on the pitch.
‘That was a great balance. He was very, very consistent with that and really calm and composed as well.’
Arsenal’s lead in the title race could be just three points by the time they face Brentford on Thursday as Man City take on Fulham the previous evening.
Liverpool won the Premier League by ten points last season but have endured a dismal title defence, slipping to sixth – 17 points behind Arsenal.