Pep Guardiola believes that Manchester City's Premier League clash against leaders Arsenal is "not decisive" in the title race, but he has acknowledged that the Etihad Stadium showdown is "really important".
The treble-chasing Citizens have hit a strong run of form at a crucial period in the season, winning 13 and drawing three of their last 16 games across all competitions.
Eight of those victories have been registered in their last nine Premier League matches, and their impressive form has coincided with a wobble from table-toppers Arsenal, who have drawn each of their last three games including last Friday's 3-3 draw at home to basement club Southampton.
The Gunners currently sit five points clear at the Premier League summit, but Man City have two games in hand and can take a significant step towards retaining their top-flight crown with a victory on Wednesday.
Nevertheless, Mikel Arteta told reporters on Tuesday morning that Arsenal's visit to the Etihad is not a title decider, and Guardiola has concurred with his former apprentice.
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Asked about the importance of Wednesday's game at a pre-match press conference, Guardiola said: "It's really important, not decisive because there's many tough games left for both sides. But we cannot deny how important it is.
"Against this type of team, they control absolutely everything. Even back with Arsene Wenger they always had incredible detail about the ball and the players they select to play for them always have the biggest quality, the biggest skills.
"Mikel has brought them another dimension. They went to Anfield a few weeks ago and were winning second-balls, long balls, they were better for a large part of the game.
"I don't say anything new, we've felt it in the two games we played against them this season. You have to challenge them in those terms or with their speed and intensity, their quality, it's difficult."
Arsenal have lost the last two meetings with City this season – a 1-0 FA Cup defeat in January followed by a 3-1 league loss in February – and Arteta believes that his side need to be "perfect" to come out on top at the Etihad.
However, Guardiola has insisted that "perfection doesn't exist in football", adding: "You cannot be perfect and win the game.
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"We know what happened with Bayern Munich (in the Champions League) and what will happen in the future. Your standard has to be so, so high because teams demand you to be really good. We will try to impose our game."
Guardiola believes Arteta, who spent just over three years as an assistant coach at Man City before joining Arsenal, deserves huge credit for developing the Gunners into title contenders this season and has labelled the 41-year-old as a "manager" in comparison to himself as a "trainer".
"I think the development of the club since Mikel took over, it's obvious," said Guardiola. "When you talk about a manager, I'm a trainer, football trainer, not a manager.
"But I have the feeling Mikel changed the attitude of the club. Support from the hierarchy of the club, and that's why the success is there. It used to be a top six but now it's going to be a top eight competing for the top because Newcastle are there now."
Man City will move to within two points of leaders Arsenal with a win at the Etihad, but defeat will see the Gunners move eight points clear, albeit having played two games more than the Citizens.
Oliver Thomas
