Pep Guardiola believes Arsenal will not drop many more points in the Premier League and insists Manchester City’s experience in previous title races counts for ‘absolutely nothing’.
Mikel Arteta’s side are eight points clear at the top of the Premier League, although City, who sit in second place, have a game in hand over their rivals.
City kick off the Premier League action following the international break with a tough test at home to Liverpool on Saturday, while Arsenal host Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium later that day.
Many are still predicting that City will end up catching and overtaking Arsenal during the Premier League run-in, but Guardiola has warned his players that Arteta’s men will be completely focused on the title race now that they are out of the FA Cup and the Europa League.
‘I would love to be in the position of Arsenal, rather than have the experience of winning four Premier Leagues in five years,’ said Guardiola.
‘I’d prefer to be in Arsenal’s position in the Premier League than the one we have. The advantage is that they are eight points in front of us, this is the real advantage. The past is the past, experience doesn’t count. Absolutely nothing.
‘When I hear managers or players say, ‘I don’t have to show anything, I don’t have to demonstrate anything’, it’s the most awful sentence.
‘You have to prove it every single day, again and again and again. The past is the past. Memories when you are a grandfather? It’s okay, it’s nice. If people think ‘I don’t have to show anything’, no, you have to, again and again, otherwise you have to retire.’
When asked if he felt Arsenal may struggle to cope with the pressure in the title race, Guardiola said: “I don’t think so, I don’t believe in that.
‘They have many points still to play for, many games to play, and a lot of things can happen.
‘But for the consistency Arsenal have shown this season… one game a week now, out of FA Cup, and out of the Europa League.
‘With one game a week, you can have an incredible focus and you can prepare. I have the feeling they won’t drop that many points.’
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