Pep Guardiola believes the clash with Arsenal will have no short-term effect on the Premier League title race.
This Sunday, the Cityzens will host the Gunners Arsenal, runners-up to Manchester City in the last two Premier League seasons, for the fifth day’s clash.
Both teams are still unbeaten since the start of the season, although Arsenal did draw at home to Brighton (0-0) while City have won four of their last four games.
Ahead of this highly anticipated clash, Pep Guardiola was keen to stress that the league title will not be decided at the final whistle.
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“In recent years these games have been close because they are good, but so are we” began the Catalan technician as a preamble.
“Ranking-wise it’s not that important. It will become so when we go to London in the second half of the season.”
“Our motivation is not to win to be five points ahead of them after five games: our motivation is to play a good game.”
Last season, the league matches between City and Arsenal were very close and very contested. The Cityzens lost in London (0-1) before sharing the points at the Etihad Stadium (0-0). Our manager expects a real fight once again.
“In 2024, they didn’t lose away [en championnat]. It’s not just one or two games, they’re consistent and not conceding a goal.”
“They are bigger than us, they are quick in transition and they are very strong in defense.”
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For this big meeting, Guardiola will be delighted to be able to count on the return of Phil Foden.
Absent from the debates since our victory against Chelsea on the first day of the championship, the best player of the 2023/24 Premier League season played a half against Inter Milan, this Wednesday in the UEFA Champions League.
“Phil has had some issues in recent weeks but he played a good forty-five minutes this week, he was the best player last season and is fighting to get back to that level.” Pep said.
“You can imagine how delighted I am that he’s back.”
Finally, when asked about the presence or absence of Kevin de Bruyne in the group on Sunday, Guardiola was keen to give news of our number 17, who came off injured against Inter Milan.
“Kevin is feeling a little better. We’ll train tomorrow, and then we’ll see. He might be in.” he concluded.
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