Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has justified his decision to approve the transfer of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus to Arsenal last summer.
Both players moved to Arsenal and have been crucial to Arsenal’s excellent form this season which sees the Gunners sit top of the Premier League, five points ahead of City with a game in hand.
Guardiola allowed Zinchenko and Jesus to leave, as he freshened up a squad that had just won its fourth title in five seasons.
Both Arsenal and City face each other for the first time this season in the FA Cup fourth round on Friday.
Jesus will miss the Etihad Stadium reunion through injury but Zinchenko is likely to feature.
When asked if it was a mistake to sell both players at this pre-match press conference, Guardiola responded: “Why? Because they are winning?
“They have been amazing for us, we have incredible respect for them as people first and as footballers.
“Of course, we want to beat them but with all the success they’ve had, I’m more than delighted. Both clubs agreed and that’s all.”