"Many years, they have done it" - Pep Guardiola takes cheeky shots at Arsenal and Manchester United
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has taken a dig at his domestic rivals Arsenal and Manchester United splurging during the ongoing summer transfer window. The 2024-25 season starts for City with an FA Community Shield clash with United at the Wembley in London on Saturday (August 10).
The Gunners have signed Bologna centre-back Riccardo Calafiori on a reported €45 million deal and made goalkeeper David Raya's loan deal permanent. Meanwhile, United have snapped up Lille centre-back Leny Yoro (€62 million) and Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee (€42.5 million).
In contrast, Guardiola's side have been fairly quiet on the transfer front, only bringing on Troyes winger Savinho on a reported €25 million. Ahead of his team's clash with United, the Spanish boss took a dig on the Gunners and the Manchester United spending 'big money' this summer (as per Hayters TV):
"Many years, they have done it. Many years, but it's not news. It's just when City spend money."
Under Guardiola, City have become the team to beat in England, winning six of the last seven league titles, including the last four, an unprecedented feat in English football history.
The Cityzens have also tasted continental success, winning their first continental treble in the 2022-23, having tasted defeat to Chelsea in their first UEFA Champions League final two years earlier.
How have Pep Guardiola's City fared against Arsenal and Manchester United?
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has formidable rivals against Arsenal and Manchester United. In 22 games against Arsenal since he arrived at the Etihad in the summer of 2016, City have 16 and lost four.
However, the Cityzens went winless against Mikel Arteta's side in the Premier League, losing 1-0 at the Emirates and drawing goalless at the Etihad. City also lost to the Gunners on penalties in the 2023 FA Community Shield.
Meanwhile, in 22 games against United, Guardiola's City have won 12 and lost eight. Last season, the Cityzens did the double over their cross-town rivals, winning 3-0 at Old Trafford and 3-1 at the Etihad.
However, City were denied the chance to become the first English team to win back-to-back domestic doubles, as the FA Cup holders lost 2-1 to United in the final last season.
It's pertinent to note that Guardiola has had success against Manchester United and Arsenal even before coming to City. In four games (two with Barcelona and two with Bayern Munich), Guardiola's team won thrice, including two UEFA Champions League finals, and drew the other.
Against the Gunners, the Spanish tactician played eight times before arriving at the Etihad, winning four and losing twice.