Pep Guardiola issues new warning to Arsenal as title race hots up

Mind games from the Man City boss?

Apr 26, 2024 - 20:00
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Pep Guardiola issues new warning to Arsenal as title race hots up
Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, applauds the fans after the Premier League match between Brighton and Manchester City at the American Express Community Stadium
Pep Guardiola’s side face a trip to Nottingham Forest on Sunday (Picture: Getty)

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has issued a warning to Premier League title rivals Arsenal, saying that his team ‘normally’ hit their stride at the business end of the season.

City romped to a comfortable 4-0 win over Brighton on Thursday to leapfrog Liverpool and move back within a point of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.

The defending champions still have a game in hand over Arsenal, who face a tricky test against their north London rivals Tottenham on Sunday.

Guardiola’s side will play later on Sunday against Nottingham Forest, giving them a chance to end the weekend top of the table should the Gunners falter.

A stuttering finish last season saw Arsenal fall away from title contention down the home stretch and Guardiola is confident that his team will be there to capitalise should Arteta’s side trip up again.

‘It’s impossible to play at the highest level all the time, impossible,’ the Spaniard said at his pre-match press conference on Friday.

‘But the most important is when you are not at your highest level, be consistent and take the points and win games.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta greet each other before the Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal FC at Etihad Stadium on March 31, 2024
Pep Guardiola is confident his side won’t slip up in the title race (Picture: Getty)

‘And normally, normally it happens to us at the end of the season, and that is so important.’

City will hope to be boosted by the return of striker Erling Haaland who was pictured in training on Friday.

The Norwegian, who has scored 20 league goals this season, suffered a muscular injury in the Champions League against Real Madrid and subsequently missed the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea and the midweek league fixture against Brighton.

While Guardiola was coy on Haaland’s fitness, the City boss did admit that the striker was feeling ‘better’.

‘I prefer to have Erling at my disposal than not have him,’ he said. ‘I spoke yesterday with him and he told me he feels better. He feels better. But I don’t know.’

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