‘If they carry on, we won’t catch them’: Pep Guardiola concedes Man City will not be able to reel in Arsenal in the title race if the Gunners continue their current form… with Mikel Arteta’s side currently on track for 100 POINTS
- Arsenal are currently eight points clear of Man City in this season’s title race
- The Gunners are on track to earn 100 points in the Premier League this season
- Pep Guardiola feels City won’t catch Arsenal if they continue their current form
Pep Guardiola has admitted that Arsenal need to drop their level for his Manchester City side to have any chance of defending their Premier League title.
Arsenal have won 14 of their 17 matches this term to open up an eight-point lead over City in the title race, albeit having played a game more than their rivals.
The Gunners dropped points for just the third time this season as they were held to a goalless draw by Newcastle on Tuesday, but they remain in a commanding position and Guardiola has conceded City now need Mikel Arteta’s men to go off the boil in the second half of the campaign.
Pep Guardiola thinks his Man City side need Arsenal to drop their level to catch them
Mikel Arteta’s side have opened up an eight-point lead at the top of the table
The Gunners are currently on course to pick up 100 points this season
‘The way you have to reduce the gap is play good and winning games,’ Guardiola said in his pre-match press conference ahead of City’s trip to Chelsea on Thursday.
‘They have an average and they’re going to do 100 points Arsenal, if they carry on, and we won’t catch them. We will see what happens.’
City have the chance to close the gap to Arsenal to five points if they win at Stamford Bridge, but Guardiola’s side are yet to find their best form since domestic football returned on Boxing Day, and they could only manage a 1-1 draw at home to Everton on Saturday.
It has not all been doom and gloom at the Etihad Stadium, though, with 18-year-old full-back Rico Lewis catching the eye in recent weeks.
Lewis has started each of City’s last three games, and Sportsmail understands that the club are planning to offer him a new contract.
Guardiola has been very impressed by teenager Rico Lewis since he came into the team
Guardiola remained tight-lipped when asked about a new deal for Lewis, but revealed that he has been very impressed with the youngster’s progression.
‘About the contract I’m not the person, it’s a decision of the club,’ Guardiola said.
‘What he’s done is beyond my expectations. Big games, everything is well done. He has the ability to read the situation every time in one fraction of a second. He never reacts after, always anticipates.
‘He’s such an intelligent player. We are delighted the academy produce another quality player and we hope he stays for a long, long time.’
Guardiola has insisted Bernardo Silva remains a key player for City despite uncertainty over his future
Lewis looks set to be in City’s plans moving forward, but Bernardo Silva’s future has come under scrutiny once more, with the midfielder hinting that he could be set for a summer move if an inviting opportunity presents itself.
Guardiola still views Silva as a ‘key player’ at City, though, and does not appear to be concerned about losing him any time soon.
‘He’s a key player, so important on and off the pitch,’ Guardiola insisted.
A guy who can talk, always a nice conversation always you learn about his humanity, his vision for the club. He is an incredible player against top sides, in decisive games. Nothing changed about his future.’
City have no fresh injuries ahead of their match against Chelsea, with Guardiola confirming that Ruben Dias remains sidelined, while Aymeric Laporte will be assessed in Wednesday’s training session after missing the stalemate with Everton.
