Guardiola admits he understands fans' anger over increase in ticket prices

Pep Guardiola admitted he understands the anger of Manchester City supporters after a further hike to season-ticket prices but insisted they will carry them through against Arsenal this weekend.

Like the majority of their Premier League rivals, City have already announced increases of up to 10 per cent ahead of next season – prompting fury by fans who fear they are being priced out.

Tottenham, Arsenal and Manchester United's are going up, with Chelsea and Liverpool's fan base fearing the same.

Guardiola claimed that the landscape of fan disenchantment will not have a bearing on Sunday's title clash with Mikel Arteta's side as City aim to leapfrog the Gunners.

'Absolutely (I understand),' Guardiola said. 'The people will support us unconditionally. The team is the team, not involved, respect all opinions. I know it is a sensitive issue but on Sunday they will be with us.

'Now with the last games of the Premier League at home with our people I'm pretty sure they will give us what we need to perform to our best. Right now every game is so important.'

City will be without both Kyle Walker and John Stones after the pair sustained injuries while on international duty with England over the past week.

Guardiola refused to be drawn on Gareth Southgate's decision to start Stones twice in a matter of days – and suggested that the internationals may derail their momentum in the hunt for an unprecedented fourth consecutive league title.

'We played really good the last month but the international break, the first game after is always... you think, what will happen?' the Catalan added. 'Yesterday we trained good and we have two more training sessions and will be ready for it again.

'Arsenal control many aspects of the game and every time they