After 'dark arts' battle, can student Mikel Arteta and Arsenal finally become master against Pep Guardiola and Manchester City?

Less than two months into the Premier League season, and already, several fascinating subplots are weaving their way between both ends of the table.

Early struggles for Tottenham and Manchester United have Ange Postecoglu and Erik ten Hag under the microscope, while Everton are mired near the foot amid takeover talk.

Meanwhile at the top, the Arne Slot revolution has - for the moment - delivered Liverpool back to the leading perch, as the post-Jurgen Klopp era continues to take shape.

Yet the most intriguing battle looks set to unfold between two close friends and their respective teams, as they batle for title success once again.

• Read more: Arsenal goal scorer Gabriel Martinelli reacts to win over Leicester
• Read more: Arsenal legend says Gunners had Man City 'rattled' in draw

For two years now, Mikel Arteta has nearly made the journey from student to master with Arsenal, as he tries to end the Manchester City dominance he helped set the stage for.

Once Pep Guardiola's prized coaching pupil, he is now the man who has turned the Gunners into serious challengers, determined to break a vice-grip hold on the throne.

City have won the title six out of the last seven campaigns, driven only once from the summit by Liverpool in 2020. Their four consecutive crowns since is unprecedented.

Arsenal and Arteta have come close but with no cigar over the last two campaigns. They are the Darth Vader to City and Guardiola's Obi-Wan Kenobi, always one step behind.

But Vader caught up with Kenobi in the end - and now, the stage may finally be set for Arsenal to overhaul their rivals too, as they struggle with matters both on-and-off the field.

The loss of Rodri - a leading Ballon d'Or contender, fresh from Euro 2024 success with Spain and arguably the defining figure of latter-day City - is a blow for Guardiola.

Getty

Then there is the shadow of the club's 115 charges for alleged breaches of the Premier League's financial rules that hangs over them too, a spectre at the feast of their success.

Regardless of the outcome, both appear to have agitated Guardiola, further amplified by a bad-tempered 2-2 draw with the Gunners last weekend.

Accusations of "dark arts" and a statement from Arteta highlighting his intimate knowledge of the City operation seemingly further drove his opposite number to frustration.

The former played down any breakdown in their relationship this week, stating: "I respect him profoundly. I'm so grateful for everything he did for me and continues to do for me.

"If someone wants to damage the relationship, that's not in my hands. The feeling [of affection] is profound. [Guardiola] knows it, the staff know it because I still [speak] with them."

Nevertheless, as City were held back by Newcastle and Arsenal ran out victors over Leicester this weekend, there was still something in the air.

Guardiola will regroup his team and charge forward again. They are serial winners, and will remain among the frontrunners this campaign.

But if this year is to be the one where they falter, many may look back to the end of September and wonder if it was where the battle was won and lost.