Manchester City defender Ruben Dias has been commenting on Arsenal’s 2024/25 campaign.
The two Premier League giants went head-to-head for the title during the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons, but both underperformed last time around as Liverpool ran away with the English top flight.
After finishing behind City during the two campaigns in which the clubs contested for the Premier League, the drop-off from Pep Guardiola’s side last season provided the Gunners with the chance to win their first league title since 2004; however, Mikel Arteta’s side would finish as runners-up once again.
While speaking about the struggles of the last term, Dias has taken a bit of a dig at Arsenal after they failed to win the 2024/25 Premier League title.
Ruben Dias in action during Manchester City v Arsenal.
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Ruben Dias has a dig at Arsenal’s 2024/25 season
Last season was underwhelming for Man City, having gone from winning four Premier League titles in a row to ending the campaign without a major trophy and needing the final day to secure Champions League football.
The 24/25 season hurt Guardiola’s dressing room so much that Erling Haaland was willing to give up his vacation time to prepare for the current campaign, as the Norwegian superstar was eager to put things right.
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Dias was one of the main stars who struggled last time around, so much so that Man City fans were unsure about the Portuguese defender being offered a new contract by the club.
Speaking about the issues City faced last season to The Telegraph, the centre-back admitted that the previous 12 months hurt, while also having a little dig at Arsenal.
“It most definitely hurt [last season], and I feel like, after so much success, there was always going to be a moment like this. No team can win forever,” Dias said.
“Even though that’s the ambition of all of us. The fact that we pushed to those four Premier Leagues in a row, that’s never been done before, it’s already something extraordinary.
“At the end of the day, we were third in the league in probably the most difficult league in the world. And three points behind Arsenal, who supposedly did a great season.”
Ruben Dias in action for Man City against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Ruben Dias’ impressive record vs Arsenal
Arsenal are an opponent Dias has loved playing against since moving to the Etihad Stadium in 2020, with the Portuguese star facing the Gunners on 11 occasions, winning seven, drawing two, and losing the remaining two.
The 28-year-old has also helped keep four clean sheets against the North London side, but has yet to score or assist against Arsenal, which is to be expected of a centre-back.
Fulham (eighth) are the only team Dias has beaten more in English football, and as both prepare to challenge for the Premier League this season, it could see another chapter written in this new rivalry.