Crisis averted then for Manchester City. Or perhaps that should read crisis postponed? The champions of England escaped the league phase and through a certain prism, there is a case to be made that Pep Guardiola's side are well into the post-nadir period of their season.

Pep Guardiola did not hold back his honest assessment of Manchester City's Champions League hopes this season. Manchester City saved their Champions League season with a 3–1 victory over Club Brugge on the final day of the Champions League league phase.

Pep Guardiola will remain without Jeremy Doku, Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake for Manchester City’s Premier League showdown against Arsenal. City head to the Emirates trailing the Gunners by six points having rescued their Champions League campaign midweek with victory over Club Brugge.

Pep Guardiola has denied that a rift has developed in his relationship with Mikel Arteta despite a number of bruising encounters between his Manchester City team and Arsenal.