Bruno Guimaraes and Eddie Howe agree on telling Manchester City and Arsenal comparison | OneFootball

Manchester City is a more difficult opponent for Newcastle United over two-legs in the Carabao Cup semi-final this season compared to Arsenal in the last campaign, according to two significant St James’ Park figures.

The latest assessment from Tyneside underlines the long-established respect for Pep Guardiola’s side, particularly in a competition where City have repeatedly shown an ability to go the distance and secure victory at Wembley.

While Arsenal posed a significant challenge last season, Newcastle now appear to view Manchester City as a more complete and unforgiving opponent across two matches. Guardiola’s squad arrived at St James’ Park buoyed by domestic momentum, with new signings quickly integrating into an already established system.

As has been highlighted in previous reports, Manchester City’s ability to rotate without losing technical control or intensity has become one of their defining strengths during congested periods of the season.

The first-leg encounter offered further evidence of that depth and resilience, with City absorbing early Newcastle pressure before asserting themselves, and the performance reflected a side becoming more and more comfortable managing high-stakes ties.

Speaking prior to Tuesday night’s clash between Newcastle and Manchester City, Eddie Howe and Bruno Guimaraes both spoke to television broadcasters about the difference between facing Arsenal at this stage of the competition and Pep Guardiola’s squad.

On whether Manchester City over two-legs is ‘harder’ than Arsenal, club captain Bruno Guimaraes said, “Yeah, I think so. I think Manchester City is one of the most difficult games in the league, if not the most difficult. We know they have a deep squad, many, many top players.”

Adding to his captain’s words, manager Eddie Howe commented on whether Newcastle will need to reach an ‘even higher level’ against City compared to Arsenal to reach the Carabao Cup Final, “I think so. I think that’s a fair comment.”

Those comments were given further weight by the outcome of the first leg, as City left Tyneside with a commanding 0-2 advantage thanks to Antoine Semenyo continuing his impressive start to life at the club with the opening goal.

Rayan Cherki then delivered a significant late blow to Newcastle’s hopes, striking deep into stoppage time to double City’s lead. The timing of the strike was particularly damaging, shifting the tie firmly in Guardiola’s favour ahead of the return fixture, and following a period where Newcastle had twice struck the woodwork and saw promising openings go unrewarded.

With the second leg scheduled to take place at the Etihad Stadium on 4 February, Newcastle now face the daunting task of overturning a two-goal deficit against a side renowned for controlling games when holding an aggregate advantage.

For Pep Guardiola, the comments from Bruno Guimaraes and Eddie Howe will serve as a further endorsement of Manchester City’s standing within English football, and reinforce the narrative that City have become the reference point for clubs aspiring to compete consistently at the highest level.