Pep Guardiola labels Arsenal as contenders to Premier League title with Man City

Pep Guardiola has credited Mikel Arteta with transforming Arsenal and believes they are contenders for the Premier League title.

Despite City's excellent and undefeated start to the season, the Blues are still not at the top of the table with Arsenal leading the pack by a single point. Arteta left his role as Guardiola's assistant in 2019 to take over at the Emirates and after coming under pressure at points when results weren't the best he's now got the Gunners firing.

While Guardiola still thinks that Sunday's opponents Liverpool remain his side's main rivals in the race for the title, he has praised Arsenal for their patience with Arteta and says they will be among the clubs challenging as well.

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"Arsenal is already there, many years wasn't there," he said. "Patient with Mikel, he changed not just the team he changed the club. A fact is a contender, Tottenham will be there, Chelsea and Liverpool as well.

"What happened the previous seasons, Liverpool, Jurgen [Klopp] might not see it now but always I see them as a contender. If two months left I'd say maybe too late. Just one-quarter of the season. Lots of games to play, many things can happen.

"Always Premier League is fascinating, many teams challenge to be champion. Last seasons, Liverpool and ourselves concentrate this chance as champions. Why should I say no now when we are in October. In October nobody is champions or out of the road."

Ahead of Sunday's heavyweight bout with Liverpool, Guardiola was also asked if City will be playing against history considering their poor record at Anfield, with the Blues only winning on the red half of Merseyside once during his reign.

"If we count about history,