Manchester Metropolis supervisor Pep Guardiola insisted his staff are those to beat within the tightest Premier League race for years regardless that they continue to be third within the standings following a goalless draw with rivals Arsenal on Sunday.
Metropolis had scored in 47 consecutive league video games on the Etihad Stadium earlier than arising towards Arsenal’s mighty defensive effort on Sunday. Mikel Arteta’s facet held them scoreless on the Etihad for the primary time within the league since they have been overwhelmed 2-0 by Crystal Palace in October 2021.
The draw allowed Liverpool to go prime of the desk on 67 factors with 9 video games remaining, whereas Arsenal are second on 65, some extent forward of Guardiola’s reigning champions.
When requested who’s the present finest facet, Guardiola mentioned: “Man Metropolis,” then added: “Your response, you don’t agree?”
“We’d not be right here. Semi-finals of FA Cup, quarter-finals of Champions League and combating towards Liverpool and Arsenal,” the supervisor mentioned.
Guardiola pointed to extra parity within the league than lately, together with final season when Metropolis pulled away from rivals Arsenal down the stretch to win by 5 factors. Manchester United have been a distant third with 75.
“While you see Liverpool play, I mentioned we can’t (go) 10 factors in entrance, once I see Arsenal play, we can’t (go) 16 factors in entrance, they’re actually good,” he mentioned.
“Juergen (Klopp) and Mikel with the groups are distinctive. However nonetheless we’re there.
“So can we wish to win? Yeah. We play to win? Yeah. We created extra probabilities (on Sunday)? No. They created loads? No. So it was a good sport, sure. It was a battle, sure,” added the Spaniard, who had appointed Arteta as an assistant coach at Metropolis when he took cost in 2016.
“I’m glad. I mentioned to the staff ‘Don’t be unhappy guys.’ I do know my gamers and the way they behave, and I give credit score to Arsenal for the numerous good issues they do.”
Metropolis have up to now solely taken 4 factors off top-five groups this season, in comparison with 16 final season.
“We favor to win clearly,” Guardiola mentioned.
“(However) we take the purpose, 9 video games (remaining), we’ll see what’s going to occur. The one factor we will do is refresh thoughts, legs for Wednesday, Aston Villa.”
