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The secrets of the Manchester City 'tortoise' and the ominous signs they are ready to hunt down Arsenal in title race (again): How Pep Guardiola builds his terrifying machine in pre-season and the rewards it brings after Christmas

Related Topics: Manchester City, Pep Guardiola

There is a Manchester City fan on social media who regularly posts a picture of a tortoise. Cartooned, it sports glasses with thin rims. On its shell rests an old club crest, one with an eagle, taken from the area’s coat of arms from a bygone era.

This is subjective but the little painted grin it wears feels a little bit smug, perhaps coloured by the knowledge the supporter who designed it lives in Liverpool. He started the meme in 2020, unveiled ironically with City languishing way behind Jurgen Klopp’s Reds and meekly surrendering their crown.