Pep Guardiola did not think Manchester City were anywhere near capable of being Premier League leaders less than two weeks ago.
Pep Guardiola said: “Right now, we could be 10 or 12 points behind. We are a bit lucky. If they won at Everton when they played to win, we lose at Spurs, we lose to Arsenal then we are 10 points behind and the game is over. Now we could be 10-12 points behind even [with Arsenal having played] one game less. We’re top of the league after two nights when they have been top all season. You never, ever, ever can give up. The biggest athletes never do. This weekend is the best weekend because Tiger [Woods] is back. He’s playing the Genesis Invitational. We have to learn from the greatest and he never gives up. He is two over, one over, then finishes the last round with birdie, birdie, birdie. Never give up, continue until the end.”
Arsenal had built up Wednesday’s game as an almighty opportunity for them as they chase their first league title since 2004, and manager Mikel Arteta could not hide his frustration after the game at losing to the team that could take the crown away from them. Having already knocked them out of the FA Cup, it was a significant blow for City to inflict Arsena’s first home defeat of the season and leapfrog them in the table in doing so. Guardiola is happy to have taken top spot – especially after thinking the season could take a downward turn – as his side have shown their winning mentality again. However, he has no doubts that Arsenal will still be pushing for the title come the end of the season.
Pep Guardiola said: “It’s important to be there, close to end of the season, and have the feeling that still we are there. What I’m proud of the most is that when we drop, we don’t go in there [points to the floor]. We drop but we are still at the top more or less. This season we nearly [dropped a lot], because Arsenal were unstoppable in the first leg and I know how good they are. We won but we felt how strong they are. I saw against Everton and Brentford, I felt they are still there. We won the game but they are there – and they will be there. We cannot be confused. Just because in the last four games didn’t win, I didn’t have the feeling they don’t follow Mikel or are disappointed at the lack of results. Still they are alive and will be alive until the end of the season. That’s why we have to continue.”
