Pep Guardiola poured more fuel on the fire of the Premier League's landmark case against Manchester City by claiming the club's rivals want them obliterated out of existence.
City's stacked legal team met their league counterparts at the International Dispute Resolution Centre in London last Monday for the start of a 10-week hearing into alleged financial impropriety over nine seasons.
The champions face a range of potential punishments if found guilty, from expulsion from the top flight to points deductions and heavy fines. And on the eve of meeting title contenders Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium, Guardiola fanned the flames.