Mikel Arteta has expressed empathy for Pep Guardiola following Manchester City's recent struggles, acknowledging that managing setbacks is an inherent part of the job. City will aim to secure their first victory in seven games when they take on league leaders Liverpool on Sunday. Meanwhile, Arsenal, fresh off impressive wins against Nottingham Forest and Sporting this week, will look to narrow the gap to Arne Slot's side when they face West Ham the day before.
Arteta voiced concern for Guardiola's well-being after City squandered a three-goal lead against Feyenoord in midweek. However, he remains confident that City will bounce back from their current slump, given their long-standing success. "This is a very personal matter, but I feel immense sympathy for all my colleagues because I understand the demands of this profession," Arteta said. "The industry is unforgiving, and we are judged solely on results, regardless of the consistency in our approach. We must cope with that. I know how challenging it is, having experienced it myself numerous times. Each defeat is incredibly painful, but we must maintain perspective and move forward, as there is always another match ahead."
Arteta, who is awaiting news on whether Gabriel Magalhães will be fit to play against West Ham on Saturday after the defender's injury in the 5-1 win over Sporting, commented on City's situation: "What people need to recognize is how arduous it is to maintain such a high level of performance consistently for nine years. Yes, every team encounters bumps in the road. For City, this is unusual because they haven't faced such a period in nine years. But this also highlights the high standards and competitive environment we operate in, where almost everything must be flawless. Performance, squad availability, and luck all play crucial roles, and the opposition is at a different level, making victories hard-earned."
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