Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has hailed Pep Guardiola as the “best coach in the world by a mile” as he prepares to take his to side to the Etihad for a huge game in the title race.

Leaders Arsenal go to the Etihad on Sunday to face Manchester City, who are just a point behind them in third.

Liverpool are sandwiched in between the two sides and could leapfrog Arsenal before kick-off on Sunday, if they avoid defeat against Brighton in the day’s early game.

Arsenal have suffered eight straight defeats at the Etihad, including a 4-1 loss in April last season, but Arteta has told his side to “embrace” the challenge ahead of them.

The Spaniard believes City’s remarkable rise over the past few years has forced his side to raise their level and he has labelled Guardiola the No1 manager in the game.

“In my opinion he’s the best coach in the world by a mile and he’s one of the nicest people that I’ve met in football,” he said.

“Certainly he’s one of the ones that I’ve had the most fun and laughter working with. That’s gonna stay there forever.

“I know the passion that he lives the game, the intelligence, the way that he handles the team as well and the club, how demanding he is - and then he has an incredible work ethic.

“That’s something people don’t see, but there is a lot of work behind the scenes and he has managed to do it for three different clubs at the top, elite level, every single season. That’s a huge quality.”

Arsenal have suffered eight straight defeats at the Etihad, including a 4-1 loss in April last season, as City chased them down to win the title.

Arteta, however, insists things can be different this season and he has told his side to “embrace” the title race.

“I was just watching everybody walking in the building and I loved the energy, I loved their smiles and they were glad to be back,” he said.

“They wanted to train yesterday and the way they communicate and relate with each other every day is phenomenal.

“We have done a lot to be in the position that we are, but we need to go day by day, train well, prepare every match. We’ve done a lot to be where we are now we have to embrace that position and go for it.

“The momentum is different. We had certain results and big injuries in that moment but those experiences are there to learn. Sometimes you just have to clap the opponent and that day it was the case. But we have to learn from it and challenge ourselves to be better.”