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Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola insisted his side have not been affected by the loss of assistant manager Mikel Arteta to Arsenal .

Arteta first linked up with Guardiola at the Etihad in 2016, and was known to be a popular figure at the club before he left to take up the role of head coach at Arsenal last month.

The Spaniard has got off to a positive start with the Gunners, and recorded his first win in charge with a 2-0 victory over Manchester United on Wednesday.

When asked about whether he was missing Arteta, however, Guardiola said he and his side had already moved on.

Speaking ahead of his side's FA Cup tie against Port Vale on Saturday, Guardiola said: "We have already readjusted our routine day by day, our way to work and now he is the manager of Arsenal."

City are looking to retain the FA Cup after they won the competition last year, thrashing Watford 6-0 in the final to complete a domestic treble, and Guardiola insisted his side would not underestimate their League Two opponents this weekend.

"It's a knockout game, anything can happen," he added. "The schedule has been incredible, to not have to travel and play at home will be a big advantage.

"I've said many times we try to take every competition seriously."

Guardiola also aimed a thinly-veiled dig at the hectic Christmas period, saying unless it is changed in the near future more and more injuries will occur.

"Everything is tough, not just for us," he continued. "Take a look how many injuries all the clubs have picked up but nobody cares. Next season there will be more than 50 injuries again. It is what it is."

Ederson could return for City having missed the 2-1 win over Everton on New Year's Day through illness, but Nicolas Otamendi remains sidelined.

Excerpt from:
Pep Guardiola responds to suggestion Man City are missing Mikel Arteta - Irish Mirror