Mikel Arteta has described Manchester City’s recent slump as “very strange” but insists the reigning champions remain a major threat in the Premier League title race. City have endured a torrid run, failing to win any of their last six games across all competitions, including a dramatic 3-3 Champions League draw with Feyenoord on Tuesday where they squandered a three-goal lead. Despite their struggles, City are second in the Premier League, eight points adrift of leaders Liverpool, who they face at Anfield on Sunday.
Arteta, who spent years as Pep Guardiola’s assistant at City, expressed his surprise at their dip in form but cautioned against ruling them out given their incredible consistency over the last decade. “What I have made of it is what they have done for nine years,” Arteta said. “I think that is what people have to talk about, how difficult it is what they have done for nine years consistently. And yeah, a bump—everybody has a bump. For them, it is very strange because in nine years they never had it.”
