It is likely a mix of both, but leaning heavily toward genuine professional respect. Pep is a football purist at heart, and he has always shown a soft spot for managers who share his philosophical roots, especially someone like Mikel Arteta whom he mentored so closely. While it definitely functions as a savvy way to keep the pressure on Arsenal by positioning them as the team to beat, his comments usually reflect a sincere appreciation for the tactical evolution he has observed from the sidelines. By praising their development, he keeps the narrative focused on their high standards, which paradoxically forces them to live up to that label every single week. Ultimately, Pep knows that the biggest compliment he can give a rival is to treat them as an equal, and that respect is as much about his own confidence as it is a nod to their quality.

It is likely a bit of both, but leaning heavily toward genuine professional respect. Pep is a football romantic at heart, and because he mentored Mikel Arteta, he naturally takes pride in seeing his former assistant implement the high-pressing, possession-based philosophy he helped instill. Of course, framing Arsenal as a major threat also serves a tactical purpose, as it keeps his own players from getting complacent by constantly highlighting the quality of the competition. By praising them publicly, he effectively shifts the pressure onto Arteta to live up to that acclaim while keeping the spotlight on the intensity of the title race. Ultimately, Pep understands that iron sharpens iron, and he knows that acknowledging Arsenal’s growth is just as much about validating his own influence as it is about sizing up his biggest opponent.

It is honestly a bit of both, but I lean more toward genuine professional respect given their history. Pep has always been a football purist, and he clearly feels a sense of pride in seeing his former assistant, Mikel Arteta, successfully implement the tactical principles they once shared. While Pep is a master of the media game and knows exactly how to control a narrative, his praise for Arsenal seems grounded in the reality that they are the most sophisticated tactical challenge he currently faces. Calling them a threat is not just banter; it is a calculated acknowledgment that he can no longer treat the title race as a one-horse sprint. At the end of the day, elite managers often find a strange comfort in competing against equals who force them to stay sharp, and Arsenal has undeniably earned that status.