The Gunners have drawn their last three games to make City favorites for the title but Guardiola is wary their visitors will have extra motivation for victory.
Arsenal has drawn their last three Premier League games to give chasers City hope of overhauling the stuttering leaders to win a third consecutive league title.
But City boss Guardiola said he would rather face an Arsenal side on the back of better results – because he is convinced they will be extra motivated after their recent wobble.
And Guardiola warned his players they are certain to “suffer” tonight – but said they are as ready as they can be for the encounter that could ultimately decide the title.
“I would have preferred it if they had come here with better results than the three last results, when they didn’t win a game,” said Guardiola.
“It was always going to be difficult, but with these results, it will be much more difficult. The team is ready for a big battle. I know how difficult it will be. You have to suffer in the bad moments and try to do it”.
“I always had the feeling that it would have been so difficult to play them at this stage, but after three games dropping points, it will be much much more difficult now.”
Arsenal are five points ahead, but City have two games in hand, meaning Guardiola’s side will clinch the title if they win their remaining eight matches.
City have won their last 11 Premier League meetings against Arsenal by an aggregate score of 29-4, with the Gunners’ last victory at the Etihad Stadium coming back in 2015.
Guardiola will be without defender Nathan Ake, who has been a key player in City’s 16-game unbeaten run, which stretches back to February 5.
“Hopefully he can come back soon, but for tomorrow he’s out,” said Guardiola. “We’ll play without him, but we’ll find the right player to replace him, I don’t have doubts about that.”