Ahead of the much-anticipated top-of-the-table clash on Wednesday, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has acknowledged feeling the pressure of the Premier League title race. The Gunners are currently holding a five-point lead over the defending champions, but City has the momentum on their side with two games in hand and Arsenal drawing their last three matches.
Guardiola is striving for his fifth Premier League title in seven seasons in England and recognizes that his nerves are a good indication of his hunger for success. “It is a good sign, being a little bit nervous,” stated the Catalan coach at his pre-match press conference.
He went on to explain that being nervous, anxious, and scared is a part of life and that perfection isn’t necessary. He likened the feeling of nervousness before a game to uncertainty and explained that it is a normal emotion to have.
Bookmakers have now made City favourites to not only defend their title but to also match Manchester United’s feat in 1998/99 as the only English side to win the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup in the same season. Despite this, Guardiola remains cautious and expects a reaction from Arsenal after seeing their lead being chipped away in recent weeks by draws with Liverpool, West Ham, and bottom-of-the-table Southampton.
Guardiola expressed that he would have preferred Arsenal to come to the game with better results than their last three, which saw them unable to win a single game. Key defenders will be missing for both sides, with City without Nathan Ake, and William Saliba’s continued absence poses a headache for Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta. Without the Frenchman, Arsenal has conceded seven goals in their last three games and must find a way to keep City’s 48-goal marksman Erling Haaland quiet.
Arteta has encouraged his young team to embrace the opportunity they have to shock the football world by bouncing back at the Etihad and keep the destiny of the title in their own hands with five games to go. “It is going to be a tough night and challenge, yes, but the opportunity is incredible for us,” said the Spaniard.
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