Man City have already shown Arsenal and Mikel Arteta how to beat Liverpool FC

"Not yet, I haven’t heard from him," said Mikel Arteta when asked if Pep Guardiola had been in touch ahead of Arsenal's Premier League clash with Liverpool on Wednesday night.

Arteta doesn't need any words of advice, or any added pressure, from friend Guardiola. His Arsenal side are on a good run of five consecutive wins and will arrive against Liverpool in the best shape they've been all season.

They are yet to score against Liverpool in three meetings in the campaign so far, but Gunners fans (and City fans) can be quietly optimistic of Liverpool dropping points in the title race just two days after City did the same. Guardiola says he will be watching, as City take on a new role in the title race.

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Since overtaking Chelsea and Liverpool before Christmas, City have led the league with a relatively healthy lead. They have had the luxury that even if they slipped up, they would still be in pole position for the title. Now, after dropping five points in three games, Liverpool can close the gap to a point in what is their outstanding game in hand.

The title remains in City's hands - but the same situation now applies to Liverpool, who travel to the Etihad next month in a game that looks likely to be decisive in who wins the title. City's players and coaching staff have been open that they are closely following Liverpool's results, however for the first time this season, City will be watching knowing that the result will have a direct implication on their own title chances.

So while Guardiola hasn't reached out to his old assistant, he will hope for a similar Arsenal performance to the one that held City to the 93rd minute on New Year's