It would be easy to bill Manchester City’s meeting with Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon as a showdown between the Premier League’s two purists, but Pep Guardiola was keen to dismantle any notion of him perennially prioritising style over substance.

That is certainly an accusation that has been levelled at Arsène Wenger over the 12 years since Arsenal last won the title, but Guardiola believes that purism and pragmatism are not mutually exclusive.

The City manager is the first to admit that his introduction to English football has been an eye-opener. But he is also adamant that it is not just the experience of the past six months that has taught him about the importance of allying silk with steel. He insists he was a pragmatist as well as a perfectionist at Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

Asked if Arsenal’s circumstances over the past decade had underlined to him the importance of marrying different qualities to achieve success in the Premier League, the Catalan was unequivocal. “I am pragmatic,” he said. Look at my past, I am so pragmatic. I’m here because I won. I want to win. I’m so pragmatic, guys – concede few goals and score goals.”