Mikel Arteta gives verdict on Man City's £1.93bn spending spree as Arsenal handed title concern

Mikel Arteta is in no way shocked by the actions of a Manchester City side that have spent around £1.93billion since Pep Guardiola’s arrival

Mikel Arteta is not surprised by Manchester City’s latest splash in the January market as Pep Guardiola plots to steal the title off Arsenal for a third time.

The gap at the top was closed to just four points as January signing Antoine Semenyo scored one of City’s two goals and Marc Guehi helped clean a clean sheet in the 2-0 win over Wolves last weekend.

For the second winter window in a row, Man City have spent big, but Arteta is in no way shocked by the actions of a side that have spent around £1.93billion, according to Transfermarkt, since Guardiola’s arrival.

“That's business, I don't know,” he said. “I know what they're going to do, and what they've been doing over the last 10, 15 years, so obviously no surprise. They want to win, and they will do everything to win.”

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Arsenal spent big money in the summer on eight new additions, which so far have helped propel the Gunners into pole position to lift the Premier League crown.

Arteta, however, says that their rivals’ moves in the market will not spark a reaction - and any potential deals will only be done if Arsenal have the need for it.

“Not because of them, because if we have any issues, we need to be on top of that,” he replied. “But that's not a surprise; they did as well last year, very aggressively when it was needed.

“We have our ambitions, but, as well, we have our own restrictions, and we need to know that we have to do what we can do, and what we believe is the right thing to do.”

Much has been made of the relationship between Arteta and Guardiola, considering the fierce battle raging between the clubs.

“Yeah, I don't talk [as often with him] like with my wife, but we talk generally, and I think he talks about how he feels, and that's it,” Arteta stated.

“If there are mind games, there are mind games, but I don't pay too much attention, because at the end you have to go on the pitch and deliver.”