Arsenal receives a strong warning from Pep Guardiola

Pep Guardiola stressed that Arsenal cannot afford to be overconfident in the championship battle because the season remains lengthy and Man City consistently finds ways to surge ahead during decisive phases.

Coach Pep Guardiola has just issued a subtle yet meaningful warning to Arsenal by stating Premier League this season is only at the beginning stage; no one can claim the title in early November. His Man City team currently trails Arsenal by six points after 10 rounds, but the Spanish manager believes this gap means little.

Speaking at the press conference ahead of the match against Liverpool — his 1,000th managerial game — Pep Guardiola said: “We just need to focus on winning each match and keep close to Arsenal. They still have to come to Etihad, and in early November, no one can say they are champions yet.”

In the 2022/23 season, Arsenal also led the table for many months but collapsed in the final stretch when Man City won 4-1 at Etihad and overtook them to claim the title.

Pep himself recalled that victory to underline that experience and resilience are the key factors in a long title race. “They have rebuilt their team impressively over the past few years, but the real race only starts around March or April.”

This weekend, Man City will face Liverpool — a team Pep Guardiola regards as his “biggest rival” in England. He said with a slight smile: “If I had to pick a team for my 1,000th match milestone, it would be Liverpool. Barcelona was the beginning, Bayern the progression, but Liverpool is our biggest competitor in England. It’s destiny.”

After a slump where Liverpool lost 6 of 7 matches from late September to the end of October, they have bounced back strongly with wins over Aston Villa and Real Madrid. Guardiola didn’t miss the chance to mock the English media for prematurely underestimating the opponent: “A week ago, everyone said ‘Liverpool disaster,’ and now they ask ‘Are they back?’ We — as coaches — know that every season has ups and downs.”

The Spanish strategist remains calm about his team’s situation, highlighting that Man City has overcome tougher challenges before and knows how to make decisive moves at critical moments. While Arsenal is enjoying good form, he believes City’s experience will prove crucial at the right time. “We have been through tougher battles. The key is to stay consistent and maintain a winning mindset.”

The match against Liverpool is not only a memorable milestone in Pep Guardiola’s career but also an opportunity for Man City to prove their credentials as title contenders — a clear reminder to Arsenal that the road to the Premier League throne is tougher and longer than they think.

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