Pep Guardiola believes Mikel Arteta has changed the structure of the entire club at Arsenal to propel the Gunners back into contention for Premier League titles.
Arsenal head to the Etihad tomorrow top of the table, but three successive draws have handed the initiative back to Manchester City, who have two games in hand and home advantage in the clash between the two sides.
A title challenge from Arsenal was unexpected this season, but Arteta has moulded a young team into serious challengers during his three-and-a-half years in charge.
READ MORE: Guardiola disputes Arteta claim ahead of City vs Arsenal
The Spaniard left a role as Guardiola's assistant coach at City to take over at his former club and he has made wholesale changes on and off the pitch, something his former boss believes sets the two apart.
While Guardiola describes himself as a coach rather than a manager, he believes Arteta has taken a more hands-on role at the Emirates to initiate the changes he wants.
"I think the development of the club since he took over is obvious, it is the reality. I don’t have to change what I think," said Guardiola.
"When you talk about the work of a football manager, I am a trainer, not a manager. I have the feeling Mikel changed the structure of the club.
"He change a lot of players. He has been supported by the hierarchy of the club and that is why the success is there. Before it was a top six, now a top eight because Newcastle is there and for every year it will be more and more difficult and Arsenal in the last years always was there and this season make another step because all season has been there. I have been impressed, they have been really good."
Guardiola and Arteta might be going head-to-head for the title, but they remain good friends and the City boss insists the scrap for honours this season won't alter that relationship.
"Nothing changes what we live, what I think of him. He lives in London, I live here, I see him less and we talk less and that is normal. The relationship is always happy and that will stay the same," he said.
Arteta said this season that he wished Guardiola wasn't his main rival for the title, but the City boss played that contest down.
"Not the first time in sport history, football players have friends in other teams and you want to win," he added.
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