Arsenal force Man City to introduce new transfer rule this summer after Pep Guardiola mistake
Manchester City will introduce a new transfer rule as a result of Arsenal challenging for the Premier League title this season, according to a new report.
The Gunners drew 2-2 against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, extending their lead over City at the top of the table to six points in the process.
But City have a game in hand still to play, and a win over Arsenal on April 26 could take them top of the league on goal difference, providing each team wins their games prior to then.
One factor behind Arsenal's ascent to the top of the Premier League, a position they assumed in the opening games of the season and briefly relinquished after a 3-1 defeat to City in January, is their summer signings.
The Gunners signed Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus from Pep Guardiola's side, with both playing a key role in their early season form.
Jesus suffered a knee injury during the World Cup with Brazil in December, and required surgery which kept him out for three months.
But after recording five goals and five assists in his opening 14 league games for the club, the forward picked up from where he left off by scoring against Liverpool on Sunday.
Zinchenko, meanwhile, was punished for an error in the lead-up to Liverpool's equaliser in that game, but has otherwise been a dependable presence for the Gunners this season. The left-back's ability to drift into midfield and affect play further forward has been crucial in some of Arsenal's build-up play.
And the performances of the ex-City pair has reportedly led their former club to react.
Man City 'set anti-Arsenal transfer rule'
According to Football Insider, City have decided not to sell any more first team players to Arsenal from this summer onwards.
It is claimed that even if the Gunners make offers for players from Guardiola's side, the Manchester club will refuse to allow them to leave.
The reported stance is certainly understandable from a City perspective, with Arsenal looking to build on this season going forwards regardless of whether they win the title or not.
The two sides could become title rivals for years to come, with City seemingly desperate to assist Arsenal in those pursuits by selling players to Mikel Arteta and his side. Zinchenko and Jesus both worked under the Spaniard when he was a coach to Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium.
Henry
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