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The Spaniard has praised the business their closest title challengers made last season.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has revealed that Arsenal offered Declan Rice an irresistible offer leading the midfielder to snub a move to the Etihad.
The North London-based outfit have signed Kai Havertz, Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber for a combined total of £208m after being edged out by City in the Premier League title race last season.
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11:46 - 06.08.2023
STARS ABROAD Clarke Oduor makes memorable debut for Bradford City in hard-fought contest
Former Barnsley star shows promise as Harambee Stars wing-back impresses on opening day.
City beat Arsenal in all three of their matches during the previous campaign, racking up a combined score of 8-2, while Mikel Arteta has won just one of 10 match-ups with his former boss.
However, asked whether Arsenal have stepped up a level as a result of their summer business, Guardiola said that under his former assistant manager’s tutelage, Arsenal have returned back to the upper echelons.
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12:46 - 06.08.2023
Manchester United's Onana takes full responsibility for shocking halfway line goal
Onana, who completed a £47m move from Inter Milan last month, is happy to take all the criticism after conceding a goal from the halfway line during their friendly match against Lens.
"Yes, definitely, Mikel has brought Arsenal back into the position they were."
Guardiola was also quick to hail the impact that the new signings made by Manchester United, Liverpool, and Newcastle could make in the title race this season.
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12:08 - 06.08.2023
PREMIER LEAGUE Arteta hints at reason Arsenal want to sign Brentford’s David Raya
Arsenal’s opening bid for Raya is slightly below what Brentford are seeking but negotiations continue over a deal, which both parties are looking to complete.
"There are a lot of teams that are going to fight for everything and the challenge is massive for us.
"You cannot win more than we won - it's impossible. But the challenge is how hungry we are and if we still have the desire to defend what we won.
"We will see during the next 11 months, particularly during the lower moments - and we will have more of them than ever - how we can overcome."
City were interested in signing Rice but pulled out of the race for the West Ham United captain. Guardiola believes that, although he opted to join the Gunners instead, he will be an important player for the side,
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10:42 - 06.08.2023
Community Shield preview: Arsenal and Manchester City clash for season's first silverware
Arsenal and Manchester City compete for silverware in the traditional curtain-raiser.
"Absolutely not," he insisted. "Declan Rice rightly decided to go to Arsenal. The offer was incredible. All the best because I think he is a really important player.
"I think he is a very nice guy. For the national team he is, and will be, important. Arsenal bought an incredible player."
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11:27 - 05.08.2023
Guardiola reveals why Arsenal are favourites to lift community shield
Pep Guardiola has declared Arsenal favourites to lift the Community Shield ahead of his Manchester City side explaining why he tips the Gunners to claim the first silverware on offer this season
After claiming the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup last season, City have the chance to compete in the Community Shield at Wembley, the European Super Cup against Sevilla in Greece on August 16, and the Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia in December.
"Normally when you win the titles that we won, they give you the chance to fight for new ones.We have played in this competition for the last three years, we play Sevilla in the next weeks and in Saudi Arabia in the winter.
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10:00 - 20.07.2023
OPINION: Kenya must invest in youth and grassroots football to become a regular World Cup and AFCON side. This is why
If Harambee Stars is to qualify for its first ever World Cup and always go far at the AFCON, this is why it must invest in youth and grassroots football.
"Of course we are going to try. We finished two weeks later than Arsenal, our pre-season started two weeks later than Arsenal, so we are not in the best way.
"Always we struggle to restart every season. But it's a final and hopefully our mentality will help us to be there and compete against them."
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