PEP: ARSENAL THE NEW LIVERPOOL

City boss says Gunners are pushing champs to same extent as Reds

Pep Guardiola believes Arsenal have reached the same level as Liverpool during their previous title battles against Manchester City.

The Gunners sit on top of the Premier League table heading into the weekend’s action, but Guardiola’s champions can pile the pressure on Mikel Arteta’s side.

City, who still boast a game in hand over Arsenal, travel to Fulham on Saturday lunchtime knowing three points would take them top of the table.

Arteta then takes his team to Manchester United who, despite a chaotic season of their own, boast a good record against the Gunners at Old Trafford.

Arsenal fell away towards the end of last season but have shown huge improvements this time around and the race looks set to go down to the wire.

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool constantly pushed City all the way in title battles over the last few years, twice finishing just a point behind the Manchester club and pipping them to the trophy in 2020.

“They have been the same level of Liverpool those years,” said the City boss of Arsenal.

“The same level, both teams[ Liverpool and Arsenal ]. They have both been incredible.”

Guardiola also insisted he expects Fulham’s full focus for Saturday’s game. The Cottagers have little to play for other than aiming for another top-half finish and some of their players were seen flying kites in training earlier this week.

The City boss, however, does not think that means Marco Silva’s side are going into the game under-prepared.

“One manager, one player, one team – they are never not focussed on winning the game,” he added.

“Never, ever in my life.

“They are playing in front of their fans, they have come to perform well in the same way we are going to do everything we can to beat them.

“I’ve no idea what it’s about. I’ve not seen anything.”s club.”

Meanwhile, Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has revealed that Lisandro Martinez is being held back from making his return to the pitch.

The Argentine has endured an injury-hit season featuring just nine Premier League appearances. Having missed several weeks with a knee issue earlier in the year, he played only 21 minutes in March’s draw at Brentford before being sidelined by a calf complaint.

But he is once again back in training and ra ring togo. However, Ten Hag has confirmed that Martinez will not play against Arsenal despite the “desperate” defender’s plea to make an early return against doctor’s orders.

“Yesterday, Licha came to me and he wanted to play on Sunday* against Arsenal,” said the United boss on Friday.

“But he is not ready yet. He needs a little bit more time to go through the process, but he is so desperate.”

United are desperate for reinforcements at centre-back with Harry Maguire, Willy Kambwala, Raphael Var a ne and Victor Lin del of all ruled out along with Luke Shaw.

Jonny Evans and Casemiro struggled in the 4-0 defeat at Crystal Palace on Monday but look set to start against the Gunners.