The Citizens extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to 18 games but Guardiola insists Arsenal made them suffer for the victory.
Guardiola’s men were off to a flyer when England international Raheem Sterling leapt to meet a Riyad Mahrez cross with just two minutes into the game.
In an interview with Sky Sports after the game, Guardiola waxed lyrical about Arteta and reflected on his side victory in North London.
“It was hard like we expected it would be. We suffered a lot. It’s difficult to play against Arsenal and Mikel [Arteta], that’s why I give the players incredible credit for this victory,” the Spaniard said.
"Mikel knows everything. He’s so good. It’s not because he’s my friend. He’s so clever. I learn a lot watching his teams. I learned something that I can use in the future. He knows everything about football.
"People look at our run of wins and think it’s so easy. I didn’t expect it. I’m more than grateful for these players for what they’re doing, but winning these games 1-0 is what we need to do.
"The last 10-15 minutes was brilliant. We didn’t push the action, the action came through the passes and movements in the right tempo.
"At half-time we adjusted our pressing and won a lot of balls. In the first half we could not. The second half was better. We didn’t create chances but enough to win the game.
"Fernandinho commanded absolutely everything in the middle. We need everyone. Now having a game every three days with travel, I’m going to have to rotate the team. It’s impossible to sustain this rhythm.
"We now have four games in a row in the Premier League. We know what we want to do. We want to make a big step."
