14 hours ago
5
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was asked about the Premier League title race after Arsenal dropped points against Liverpool on Thursday
Pep Guardiola warned Manchester City that they cannot take any relief from Arsenal dropping points this week as they aim to keep their hopes alive of winning the Premier League. The Blues have lost ground on the leaders with three successive draws but are only six points off top spot following Liverpool's point at the Emirates on Thursday.
City and Arsenal have more than a week before their next moves in the Premier League, with the FA Cup and Carabao Cup taking up the next two matches for both teams. Guardiola wants to use that time to help his squad to grow to give them a better chance of competing for both this title and in future races.
Having not watched Arsenal's draw at the Emirates, City's manager said it would be a 'huge mistake' for the players to think that less was needed from them in the 17 league games remaining if they want to be top of the table in May. As they look to discover the title-winning traits that previous City sides had, the reality is that the squad have to perform to a high level for more than five months regardless of Arsenal performances.
"It's better, of course, when the team at the top of the league drops but if we are not able to win our games it is better to think of ourselves," Guardiola said. "It would be a huge mistake if we think that the situation is better because a fantastic team like Liverpool can draw a game at the Emirates.
"It is better to think of ourselves, because one of the incredible attributes of this team always in recent years is we found a way to win games - even when we played worse than the last three games that we drew. But we were able to do it.
"But it is a question of time and process. Our game in Nottingham Forest that we won was miles worse than the way against Sunderland and Chelsea and Brighton in terms of play and chances and many things, but we didn't find a way. When you draw a game, it's fair. Because you have to do better.
"All we can do is be better ourselves and I'm not watching Arsenal-Liverpool to think I am relieved or something like that. It's better to be six points than eight points but the reality is we have to win an incredible amount of tough games to be contenders to win the Premier League.
"In terms of points, 51 to play for and six the difference so everything is open but it's not about that. If we can do things a bit better, in our process to grow as a team and a group of players that are so new. It is important to live the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup for the experience of many players who never played a final.
"That is the process we are building and there are other things that I am so optimistic and positive and happy that many things we are doing really well."
English (US) ·