Pep Guardiola
Manchester City have come out firing on and off the pitch this season. Saturday’s ultimately comfortable victory over Ipswich Town made it two wins from two to kickstart the Premier League campaign. And, as City bid for a fifth successive top flight title and a tilt at regaining their Champions League crown, their early season form minus a clutch of key players is ominous. It’s a big year off the pitch as well, with a decision set to be reached on City’s alleged 115 breaches of Premier League financial rules. The hearing is set to start in September, with a result possible before the end of the season. Guardiola said on Friday that he was happy a resolution is on its way, and while any punishment if City are found guilty could taint the on-pitch success in the eyes of some, it won’t colour the Etihad chief’s view. Writing in the City programme,
Pep Guardiola said “The last time we were here we did something really special together. Four Premier League titles in a row guys. This is historic. We have enjoyed so many amazing days together and the final day of last season against West Ham is definitely one of them. The achievement is unique, nobody can take it away from us and we will have those memories forever.”
City have adopted something of a siege mentality given the criticism thrown their way since the charges were first announced. It extends to football matters too. A banner unfurled at the Etihad on Saturday displayed the message ‘This means four’ – a not so subtle reference at Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold’s comments last season that he viewed the trophies won by the Merseysiders in higher regard than any City have claimed. Speaking in March,
Trent Alexander-Arnold said “Looking back on this era, although they’ve won more titles than us and have probably been more successful, our trophies will mean more to us and our fanbase because of the situations at both clubs, financially. How both clubs have built their teams and the manner in which we’ve done it, probably means more to our fans.”
City have since claimed a fourth straight top flight title, a first in English football, and the banner showed they haven’t forgotten Alexander-Arnold’s quip. Whatever comes their way in the next few weeks and months on and off the pitch, City are united and up for the fight.
