Pep Guardiola won’t be underestimating Arsenal ahead of Manchester City’s clash with the Premier League leaders on Wednesday, despite the Gunners’ recent form.
A few months ago Arsenal threatened to run away with the Premier League title, but a run of three consecutive draws has handed the initiative back to City.
Pep Guardiola’s side have won their last six league fixtures, and trail Arsenal by five points having played two games fewer.
The two sides will meet at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday, but Guardiola will not let Arsenal’s recent 2-2 draws with Liverpool and West Ham and 3-3 tie with Southampton affect his side’s preparations.
“I didn’t see the game against Southampton but I saw the first half vs Liverpool and they had momentum, I saw the first half hour against West Ham when I was at home and they had momentum, I know how difficult it will be,” Pep said.
“They are huge competitors from the manager to the players and if they sustain that, we have to be there.
“I would say that they went to Anfield and got a result – that’s not easy. You can drop points there as we know – we won once in the six or seven years I’ve been here. I know how difficult that is.
“When you play teams like West Ham, they are fighting to survive and it’s difficult for everyone. So the results were tight.
“Everyone plays for something. Champions League, Europa League, staying up. It’s difficult and of course it can happen to us. The momentum can go and we can lose.”
Save a hamstring issue picked up by Nathan Ake against Bayern Munich last week, City have no injury concerns.
Guardiola made six changes to his line-up for the FA Cup semi-final win against Sheffield United on Saturday, and after the game he insisted he was happy with the condition of his squad.
“We go game by game, everyone is fit, we don’t have injuries,” he said on Saturday.
“Phil [Foden] is back. We can rely on Sergio [Gomez], Stefan [Ortega], everyone is going to contribute. In the locker room we were incredibly happy and satisfied, a final is a final – this is the FA Cup and we’ll be here against United or Brighton. Keep going and move forward.
“Even though they draw the last three games, the way Arsenal play is difficult to stop. You have to read exactly what you have to do but it’s a massively important game for us.
“If we win it’s a step to getting it completely in our hands. The Premier League is 11 months, working, working. We have this opportunity and we want to take it.”
