Pep Guardiola gave Mikel Arteta his backing after Manchester City thrashed Arsenal 5-0 to pile the pressure on his former assistant.

The two Spaniards enjoyed a successful spell together at City but things have been far from plain sailing for Arteta since he left to become Arsenal boss.

Pressure is mounting and questions are being raised regarding Arteta’s future after 20 months in charge.

But Guardiola leapt to the defence of his former coach and issued a plea to Arsenal to take various issues into consideration when judging his recent results.

Guardiola said: “All I can say is we worked two or three years together.

“What I learned from him is that he’s a good manager. The character, the personality, leading.

“He’s incredibly loved by all of us. We were sad when he left and sometimes people expect or want results immediately.

“The squad today is not the team like he dreamed because they have six, seven, eight injured. Important players, really important players, like Ben White, Thomas Partey.

“He cannot use the players he needs to do it. All the managers need the squad, depth of the squad. All our players except Kevin (de Bruyne) and Phil (Foden), they are completely fit.

“I absolutely am a big fan of him, and I’m pretty sure if they trust him, they are going to do a good job at Arsenal.”