Man City must respect Arsenal in title showdown: Guardiola
Manchester City celebrate during their win at Chelsea (Adrian Dennis) Pep Guardiola insisted Manchester City must respect Arsenal when they face the Premier League leaders in a seismic title showdown next weekend. Guardiola's side closed the gap on Arsenal to just six points with an emphatic 3-0 win at Chelsea on Sunday. Second-half goals from Nico O'Reilly, Marc Guehi and Jeremy Doku ensured City capitalised on Arsenal's shock 2-1 defeat against Bournemouth 24 hours earlier.
They have a game in hand on Arsenal and victory in their crucial clash at the Etihad Stadium on April 19 would seize the momentum in a gripping title race. City, six-time champions under Guardiola, are hitting peak form at just the right time, while Arsenal appear to be cracking under the pressure of chasing their first English title since 2004. But Guardiola is well aware of the threat posed by Arsenal despite their recent run of three defeats in four matches in all competitions, including a 2-0 loss to City in the League Cup final.
"The respect I have for Arsenal, what they have done the last few years. I know the manager, the players, the quality, how they compete in every circumstance, that's the biggest job we have. There is a tactical issue, maybe we will adjust something," Guardiola said.
"They have been the best team in this country, in Europe, so far. Beating Arsenal once is so difficult, imagine beating them twice in a few weeks. We have to rest.
"I would like to say to my fans: respect Arsenal a lot, they are an extraordinary team. Come to join us from minute one because the players will do the maximum. " - 'Extraordinary' Cherki - Guardiola believes City were underestimated going into the League Cup final, a feeling which his players were able to use as motivation.