THE Premier League clash between Arsenal and Manchester City is over two weeks away, but it is already being anticipated as the key fixture in the title race.

City manager Pep Guardiola and his former assistant, now Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, both fielded questions on the next game after City knocked Arsenal out of the FA Cup thanks to a 1-0 win at Eastlands on Friday night. 

Guardiola spoke at length about Arsenal’s man-marking and whether it would be applied in the league game as well.

Between now and then City have to face Spurs and Aston Villa, while Arsenal play Everton and Brentford, so the league table will look different in two weeks’ time, but even so, the meeting between the pair could have a bearing on the rest of the league season.

On the face of it, all this particular game meant was that City progressed to the next round of the FA Cup thanks to Nathan Ake’s goal, but it was also seen as a taster of what is to come in the league.

Guardiola acknowledged Arsenal’s man-marking as something he wasn’t expecting, but also believes both teams have the capacity to spring surprises next time they meet.

“Normally in football, you have two central defenders against a striker so you have one more [spare] central defender,” Guardiola explained after the game.

“That situation didn’t happen because central defenders were man to man, so one central defender goes to Kevin [de Bruyne] or to [Ilkay] Gundogan to press, and they make three on three up front [against City’s attackers].

“So to rely on these second balls [they] have to have good central defenders, win the duels, and have people supporting the second balls, and they did it.  

“I could expect this in some moments: but all the time, even in open play, they were there. 

“Normally they are so aggressive in the first part [high press] and after, when you break the line, they defend so deep, so well, so compact, and they have an incredible work ethic, all together.

“In all departments, they do really well. You don’t get 50 points [in the Premier League after 19 games] without that happening.

“In the second half, we were able to adjust something and we were a little bit better. We were able to [compete for] second balls, be more patient, and then you have to find more in the spaces.

“I’m pretty sure both teams are going to adjust something [ahead of the league game]. But I have to review the game, see which players we select and try to be more effective or play better than some parts today.”

Whatever happens, it looks set to be a fascinating tactical battle between master and apprentice.

If Arsenal win, it will give them and their admirers the belief they can go on to take City’s Premier League crown.

Should they lose, there could be a genuine title race in the latter half of the season. 

For now, though, it is City who will be happy with their progress in the FA Cup and Guardiola may also be happy he got a sneak preview of Arteta’s Arsenal first-hand ahead of that key league game.