Pep Guardiola has admitted he expects Manchester City to once again face competition from Arsenal for the Premier League title in the upcoming 2024/25 season.

The Gunners have recently emerged as the biggest threat to the Cityzens’ recent dominance of the English top flight, finishing second in the past two campaigns. Mikel Arteta’s side led the way for most of the last two terms before City twice turned on the style and usurped them at the top of the table.

City have won four Premier League titles on the bounce and are favourites to make it five in 2024/25, but Guardiola has revealed he was seriously impressed with Arsenal’s recent thumping of Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen and expects the north Londoners to be competitive once again.

Asked if he is concerned by his side’s potential title rivals, the former Barcelona boss said: “Of course. I have been concerned for many years (with) how good they are because every year they are getting better.

“I see Arsenal playing at the same level as last season; I saw their game against Leverkusen. They are on fire. Every year it looks like they are more and more difficult.

“United will be back, they bought players. Everyone wants the crown we have had for four years, it’s simple as that. It’s how we defend it. We will see.”

Arsenal have strengthened in the summer transfer window by making David Raya’s stay permanent in a £27m move from Brentford, while Italy international Riccardo Calafiori has also arrived to bolster their defence.

City, meanwhile, have added winger Savinho to their ranks while overseeing the departures of Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Liam Delap, Sergio Gomez and Tommy Doyle. Julian Alvarez is also expected to complete a switch to Atletico Madrid imminently, but goalkeeper Ederson is set to stay.

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