The Etihad clash will bring together the reigning champions and the Gunners, who have finished runners-up for the past two seasons, in a game that has captured global attention.
City will step out sitting joint top of the table and now being the only top-flight side still boasting a 100 per cent domestic record.
And though City were held to a goalless draw at home to Internazionale in Wednesday’s opening Champions League clash, the boss says in the wake of that game he is more than satisfied at the way his squad has kicked-off the new campaign – and their desire for more success.
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“The opponents know we are still there and I loved the way we ran and pressed against Inter,” Pep declared in his pre-match press conference.
“I said to the guys: ‘You surprised me’. I’m amazed by the way they played in every single minute in every single game after all these years.
“Or the way we were destroyed by Brentford for 20 minutes or so when we could have been 0-2 or 0-3 down - with the chances they had. And after the second half was brilliant against Brentford.
“The reason I’m so optimistic and so pleased is the game we saw against Inter and then watching it back after.
“Sometimes in the press conferences after the games, you are confused with the emotion of the games, and sometimes I get the analogy of the game wrong, but in that moment [and now], I don’t have that feeling.”
Play the video to watch Pep’s press conference in full…
