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The Premier League has been subject to huge scrutiny in the past week as many key figures including Liverpool boss Arne Slot have bemoaned the lack of quality football on display
Pep Guardiola has hit back at claims the Premier League has become tedious and lacked quality this season.
The Manchester City boss does not agree with those that have scrutinised the English top-flight over the past week and he actually feels recent results prove the division remains unpredictable.
Speaking ahead of his side's home fixture against Nottingham Forest, Guardiola said: "I don't agree with the people saying the league is not good this season, or the winner will not be good. I don't agree. It's tougher, it's really, really tough.
"Look at Wolves, bottom, and I see them, how tough it is. Arsenal could not win, they beat Aston Villa - Unai [Emery] is one of my mirrors as a manager. I learned a lot watching them, incredibly well-prepared. It's really, really tough.
"Look at Nottingham Forest, individual player by player, ‘How are they struggling?!’ And I'm pretty sure it's for emotional issues, no more. Sometimes the dynamic, expectations last season, Europa League, for nothing were not in the Champions League, and the expectations are high, maybe, I don't know."
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Earlier this week, Liverpool boss Arne Slot claimed Premier League matches are "no longer a joy to watch" due to the growing importance of set-pieces.
Last night, the Reds fell to a 2-1 defeat at basement boys Wolves following a pulsating finale at Molineux.
Though the match took place after Guardiola's press conference, it's the kind of result that backs up his comments.
City are looking to up the pressure on Arsenal this evening when the Gunners are also in action at Brighton.
At this moment in time, Mikel Arteta's side are top of the pile and boast a five-point lead over their rivals.
However, City still have a game in hand (at home against Crystal Palace) to squeeze in before the end of the campaign and there's a sense Guardiola's men will not go away.
The two sides meet each other at Wembley Stadium later this month in the Carabao Cup final before colliding at the Etihad Stadium in April in a match that is likely to have huge bearing on the title race.
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