Guardiola is a genius — Arsenal's Arteta praises ex-boss at Man City amidst Declan Rice battle

Arsenal’s manager Mikel Arteta has described his former boss and mentor Pep Guardiola as the best in the world.

Arteta said this much during an interview with Spanish outlet Marca and monitored by Pulse Sports Nigeria.

Arteta and his Arsenal pushed Guardiola’s defending champions City to their limits last season in an interesting and intense Premier League title race.

The Gunners looked destined for the biggest prize in English football after leading the league for over 240 days.

However, despite a gallant effort from his boys, Arteta’s men handed the title to Guardiola’s Cityzens following an incredible collapse in the title run-in.

Cit successfully defended their crown en route to an unprecedented treble after seeing off rivals Manchester United and Inter Milan to win the FA Cup and Champions League titles.

Speaking about his former boss in a recent interview, the 46-year-old had only positive things to say about his former boss, who he described as a genius and the best in everything.

“Without a doubt,” Arteta told Marca when asked if Pep is the best. “He is the best at everything.”

“Management; convince the group of your idea; drag everyone; bring out the best in them; decision making before and during the match; that the message does not expire. Pep is a genius.”

Speaking further, Arteta added that it’s difficult to compare what his mentor has done at City, Bayern Munich and Barcelona.

However, he added that one thing Guardiola guarantees is titles because he is the best.

“ It is not fair to compare,” he added. “Each work had its brilliance, and this City is incredible, because it is beautiful to see, it is a different team and it was adapted to the players, who are the protagonists at the end of the day. And, in addition, he wins titles, of course.”

Meanwhile, after their Premier League battle last season, the old pals have been battling for another prized asset - Declan Rice.

Arteta and Guardiola have had a head-to-head battle for the West Ham United superstar.

But as reported by Pulse Sports, it seems the Gunners boss has won the race this time after Guardiola and City have decided to pull out of the race following Arsenal’s record bid for the Hammers skipper.