TOUGH, BUT PEP RELISHES ADVERSITY

City boss wants to lift his players through rough patch, as does Arteta at Arsenal

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LONDON - Manchester City and Arsenal have led the way in the last two English Premier League title races, but both teams have hit a slump heading into the weekend.

Crucially, their squad depth will be put to the test as they aim to reel in leaders Liverpool.

Champions City, who face a trip to Brighton & Hove Albion on Nov 9, have been counting the cost of injuries and, after some heavy rotation, Pep Guardiola's side have lost their last three games in three different competitions.

Their 4-1 midweek mauling at Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League will especially sting, all the more so because the Portuguese side's manager Ruben Amorim is moving to City's rivals Manchester United soon.

Apart from City's Ballon d'Or winner Rodri, key players such as Jack Grealish, Ruben Dias and John Stones remain sidelined.

But Guardiola is relishing the challenge of overcoming adversity and navigating his team through a rough patch.

"It's a tough challenge, but it will be a tough season - we knew that from the start," he said.

"This is what it is. I like it, I love it, I want to face it and lift my players and try it."