Pep Guardiola poured more fuel on the fire of the Premier League's landmark case against Manchester City by claiming the club's rivals want them obliterated out of existence.
City's stacked legal team met their league counterparts at the International Dispute Resolution Centre in London last Monday for the start of a 10-week hearing into alleged financial impropriety over nine seasons.
The champions face a range of potential punishments if found guilty, from expulsion from the top flight to points deductions and heavy fines. And on the eve of meeting title contenders Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium, Guardiola fanned the flames.
'I am sorry to say that I always want to defend my club - especially in these modern days,' the City manager said.
'It's like everyone doesn't expect us not to just be relegated, they want us to disappear off the face of the earth.
'I would say have had many better days than our opponents - and that's why we win a lot. It's not complicated.'
The timing of Guardiola's remarks are significant given City believe Arsenal were central in leading a charge to force the Court of Arbitration for Sport into excluding them from the Champions League while an appeal over a ban – ultimately overturned - was heard four years ago.
Guardiola has been steadfast in consistently defending his employers, with a decision over more than one hundred charges expected in the new year.
Back in 2020, the Catalan demanded an apology from rival clubs – including Arsenal – and used what he termed as their 'whispering' campaign against City as motivation to further extend his stay as manager, going on to win an unprecedented four consecutive league titles.
Meanwhile, Guardiola insisted that Mikel Arteta won't park the bus again on Sunday, as Arsenal did during the goalless draw in April – but suggested he would have no qualms doing similar if required.
'Mikel knows I'm not going to play for zero-zero and I know that he's not going to play for zero-zero,' he added. 'There are very few managers at the top level, in the first six or seven (clubs), who go to the game thinking 'go for zero-zero.'
'I would (accept) to be sat back for a long, long time and after that make one transition to score a goal. I swear to God, I would do it. I would do it.
City's stacked legal team, led by Lord Pannick KC, arrived in London for the start of the case
'I want to win desperately, desperately. I live better and everybody's happier and everything is much, much better.
'I'm so optimistic, I'm so pleased the things I saw against Inter on Wednesday.
'The opponents know still we are there. I love the way we run and the pressing against Inter.'