Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta gave an honest reply after his old mentor, Pep Guardiola, called Arsenal the best team in the world. This news came as Arsenal lead the Premier League and prepare for a big clash with Manchester United on January 25, 2026.
Guardiola’s High Praise
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola praised Arsenal before their game against Wolverhampton. He said, “Absolutely (it will be harder), they are the best team in the world right now. Look in the Champions League, look in the Premier League, look in the FA Cup, Carabao Cup, so they are the best team right now.” City haven’t won a league match this year, letting Arsenal pull ahead by seven points in the title race. Guardiola’s comments show respect for Arsenal’s form across all competitions.
Arteta’s Honest Response
Mikel Arteta brushed off the label, saying Arsenal are far from perfect. In a press conference, he admitted: “I think we are the team that wants to be constantly better, that we are doing a lot of things right, but we are far from perfect… To be related to that (best in the world), you have to win a lot of things and we have not.” He stressed the need for trophies to earn such praise. This candid view shows Arteta’s focus on improvement over hype.
Arsenal’s Current Form
Arsenal have been impressive, winning against Inter Milan in the Champions League. But recent 0-0 draws with Liverpool and Nottingham Forest show room for growth. Still, rivals like City and Aston Villa couldn’t catch up. The team aims to keep their level high and fix key areas.
🚨 BREAKING: Pep Guardiola on Arsenal winning the league this season:
🗣️ “25 years without winning it, that must be the reason for their motivation. Think it’s finally their time.” pic.twitter.com/6AOuR6TgVy
— Satirical Footy ∞ (@SatiricalFooty) January 23, 2026
Looking Ahead
Arsenal host Manchester United this weekend, chasing a fifth straight league home win over them. They’re wary of United’s new boss Michael Carrick bringing a boost. A victory could widen their lead.
Title Race
Guardiola’s words motivate Arsenal, but Arteta’s admission reminds everyone that success means the news of a silverware. As the season heats up, Arsenal must turn praise into prizes.
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