Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva says the fact that Mikel Arteta is Arsenal manager means he isn’t surprised that the Gunners are challenging Pep Guardiola’s side for the Premier League title.

Silva worked with Arteta for the best part of eighteen months when the Spaniard was assistant head coach at the Etihad and he believes that Arsenal’s progress is very much down to their head coach:

“We knew there was a possibility of a huge growth at Arsenal this season. They have a very good manager and lots of young players full of desire to win. It doesn’t surprise me.”

City currently find themselves five points behind the Gunners but this could well be a crucial weekend in the title race. Both teams are facing their fiercest rivals in derby games.

The Citizens will take on United at Old Trafford on Saturday while Arsenal face Tottenham away from home the following day. If one of the two title contenders slip up, it would change things significantly at the top of the table.  It will be interesting to see whether either side buckles under the pressure.