Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says title rivals Arsenal could reach 100 points if they maintain their current level of performance.
Despite the Gunners being held by Newcastle on Tuesday night, Guardiola believes his team won’t be able to catch Mikel Arteta’s side, unless their form drops off:
“The way you have to reduce the gap is play good and win games. It’s not for the fact. They have an average that they will do more than 100 points the way they have done so far. If they continue in that way, we will not catch them. We have to be almost perfect from here.”
There has been a mixed reaction to the comments among City fans on Twitter, with some thinking that Guardiola is playing mind games, while others feel he is being defeatist:
putting pressure on them love that
— 🕷️🤘🏼 (@JulianSzn19) January 4, 2023
Why say that 🤦🏻♂️
— Cyrus 🙇🏻♂️ (@SilkyCyrus_74) January 4, 2023
What reverse psychology is he cooking pic.twitter.com/3VdlmDGFx6
— Thabang (@AfcThabz) January 4, 2023
And if he continues benching Foden, Walker and Cancelo he will definitely hand the tittle to Arsenal.
— R (@raphaelnxumalo) January 4, 2023
Mind games
— Tünchi✨️🇦🇷 (@HustleKing1759) January 4, 2023
Maybe he has one more lesson for his protégé. pic.twitter.com/kmFtjRExBP
— Pesach (@Paseka48_) January 4, 2023
It’s probably more likely that Guardiola is trying to focus the minds of his own players with these remarks. With Arsenal having dropped two points, it is crucial that the Citizens take advantage and close the gap on the league leaders.
After drawing against Everton last weekend, and losing to Brentford before the World Cup, it’s fair to say that City have been off the pace and the key now is to put a run of wins together, starting with the match against Chelsea.
