Arsenal legend Arsene Wenger thinks Manchester City have not reached the top level of football just because of their huge transfer spending power. The former Gunners boss lauded Pep Guardiola as a 'top class coach' and believes the Spaniard has survived at the top level because of his quality as a manager.
City are on the brink of winning a famous treble after already lifting the Premier League trophy and FA Cup earlier this season. Arsenal pushed Guardiola's side all the way in the title race but fell short towards the end of a thrilling 2022/23 campaign.
City beat fierce rivals Manchester United at Wembley to win the FA Cup as they now aim to match United's historic achievement by winning the treble. Speaking ahead of the Champions League final, Wenger believes City have created a mentally strong team by being intelligent in the transfer market.
Wenger told beIN SPORTS: "When you talk about finances, what is clear is when you have this quality of players in the squad now. You need super money.
"Just to live from the normal income is not sufficient. The teams at the top now seem to have a stake behind them and unlimited resources - a long-term plan.
"What I like about City is that they have huge financial resources they have used it in a intelligent, rational and consistent way. They [the owners] bought Man City in 2007 and they were not impatient.
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"The team that plays tonight, they slowly got rid of the players that do not meet the mentality you need to win at the top level. I don't speak about the football quality, but the mental quality.
"Year after year, they built the team to be mentally strong at the top. That's why, after the financial aspect, we know to get to the top you need huge resources - they use it in an intelligent way.
Guardiola has spent £1.2billion on 47 new signings since 2016 when he joined City. When asked whether that's why he is regarded as the best coach in the world, Wenger responded: "I don't think about it like that.
"Guardiola is a top class coach and has survived at that level because he has the quality. Top class players without a top class coach will not do well - you need both of them."
Mikel Arteta learned from Guardiola during his time at the Etihad Stadium as part of his backroom staff - but at Arsenal he does not have the same financial resources as City. The Gunners will be hoping some smart signings for the right price will help them close the gap to the Premier League champions - with the aim of repeating Wenger's title success he achieved back in 2004.
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