Arsene Wenger says Premier League tougher than ever after Pep Guardiola's arrival
Sunday 18 December 2016 16:02, UK
Arsene Wenger says the arrival of Pep Guardiola, and other highly-respected managers, has made the Premier League an even tougher competition to win.
Wenger has been in charge of Arsenal for 20 years and takes his side to face Manchester City on Nissan Super Sunday, when he will come up against Premier League newcomer Guardiola.
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The likes of Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool and Antonio Conte at league leaders Chelsea have also started first Premier League tenures over the last 14 months.
City's stumbling form recently has seen some of Guardiola's methods come under scrutiny but Wenger believes having such big-name coaches in the division can only be a good thing.
He said: "I know it's competitive and we're surrounded by top-class managers but I want to win.
"I think that the fight will be tighter and more difficult than ever and that we have an opportunity to prove that we can deal with the new competition.
"Of course, it stimulates everybody. We will see. It will be very open until the end I think."
Wenger also revealed that the Barcelona side Guardiola developed during his time in charge at the Nou Camp between 2008 and 2012 was the best side he has ever faced during his career as a manager.
The Spanish club knocked the Gunners out of Europe in successive seasons in 2010 and 2011, and Wenger explained: "I played a semi-final against Milan with Monaco in the Champions League in 1994. They were good as well.
"But with Arsenal we faced Barcelona at its peak. At the time when Xavi was still young enough, Andres Iniesta was coming up, Dani Alves was still young. They were the best team I have played.
"They were all hungry, young. Lionel Messi was 20, 21, 22. They were all coming up with a huge hunger and desire. It was natural for them.
"Let's not forget they had some team there. They had (Samuel) Eto'o and (Thierry) Henry and (Zlatan) Ibrahimovic and Messi. Imagine what that was like. Ibrahimovic still scores goals today."
