Life at Arsenal has been good recently, exceeding expectation and sitting comfortably at the top of the table.

However, life at the top isn’t just about results, as time goes on, pressure builds as questions are asked over whether Arsenal can go the full way and win the Premier League title.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has given his verdict on Arsenal’s title hopes, commencing the mind games between himself and former colleague and successor Mikel Arteta.

Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of City’s clash against Chelsea this evening, the Spaniard spoke highly of Arsenal, admitting he’s been more than impressed with the Gunners’ start to the season.

“The way they played against Newcastle impressed me a lot. They dropped two points but they didn’t drop the quality they played.”

Guardiola wasn’t wrong to say this, as Arsenal put on an impressive performance against Newcastle that was overcast by poor officiating and the theatrics that come with the modern game.

Dropping points meant Arsenal sit eight points clear of Manchester City in second, who have a game in hand that will be played this evening at Stamford Bridge – a tough fixture for any side.

Guardiola confessed that his side have to maintain an ‘almost perfect’ record for the rest of the season if they are to tip Arsenal to the title in the summer.

They’re words we’ve all heard before from the charismatic Spaniard, whose team are a forced to be reckoned with year-in-year-out and a side that could well remain unbeaten for the rest of the campaign if they desired to.

“We have to be almost perfect from here to the end of the season and hope Arsenal drop a little bit in their performance. With Arsenal winning all their games and you are eight points behind; it can happen [Arsenal winning the title].”

The top two are yet to go head-to-head this season, with the two coming in contact in the league for the first time on the 15th February after the original fixture day was postponed back in October.

Arsenal will host City first, and the Gunners will travel to the Etihad in late April in what could be a thriller should things stay as competitive as the way they are.