Pep Guardiola spoke to reporters for the first time in a fortnight as Manchester City return after the international break.. The Blues are back with a bang on Sunday when they take on Arsenal in a highly-anticipated Premier League match between two of the sides hoping to win the title, and there was much to discuss. City picked up a number of injury issues during the international window, while the club drew the ire of supporter groups for raising season ticket prices.. Guardiola was asked about a range of topics during his press conference on Friday. Here are some of the moments that may have been missed.. ALSO READ: Jack Grealish has four-word statement for Man City team vs Arsenal. ALSO READ: ‘So much disquiet’ – Man City fan groups hit back at club in season ticket row. Southgate call. Pep Guardiola almost reinvented the word ‘friendly’ when John Stones got injured on international duty during his early years at Manchester City. “Before the international FRIENDLY games,” the manager stressed, “John played 90 minutes, 90 minutes, 90 minutes and then another 90 minutes, 90 minutes and the body is the body.”. Anyone hoping for similar on Friday would be disappointed. The City boss refused to comment on Gareth Southgate’s decision to hand two starts in four days to a player who has struggled all year with a string of injuries. The very fact he was unwilling to say anything said enough.. How to run a club. It wouldn’t have been a surprise to hear Guardiola talk well of his friend and former assistant Mikel Arteta. What was interesting in his answer on Arsenal was how much credit the City boss gave the club for creating the circumstances in which they can thrive.. “Same manager, same players. They control many aspects of the game and every time they are better and better,” he said.. “When you have consistency in terms of ideas and the same manager, you always improve. If you change manager and players, it is more difficult.”. A large part of the reason Guardiola has stayed so long at City – creating incredible consistency – is the backing he has been given by his bosses and how well run the club is to allow him to focus on what he does best. He has pointed this out in relation to United’s lack of success, and here credited Arsenal with some bold backing of what was a rookie manager.. Let the celebrations begin. Guardiola was also asked the criticism Arsenal have had this season from a former Liverpool player for the enthusiastic way in which they have celebrated victories. Understandably, the City boss could not care less how anybody chooses to celebrate if they have done the hard part of winning a football match. All eyes on Sunday to see who will have the most to cheer by 6.30pm.
