Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola attended the pre-match press conference ahead of the game against Arsenal.
On Manchester City’s plan for the two days before facing Arsenal
“We plan to go hiking. We’ll do it these two days. I’m not sure; tomorrow is a recovery day, and all the injured players will be there. Rest, rest, rest, rest – saving energy for Sunday’s game.”
On whether he has discussed the fixture schedule with the Premier League or UEFA
“Don’t count on it. There’s no need.”
On whether Rodri is capable of starting three consecutive high-intensity games this week
“That’s a good question; I don’t know yet. But he’s smart. The game wasn’t over then, and a 1-0 lead is always tricky, but we always try to communicate if he’s not feeling right. You have to keep going, but we feel that if he’s not comfortable, it’s better to make an adjustment.
We’ll assess day by day, but the key thing is he’s already played two games. For example, in training yesterday, he didn’t feel great and didn’t train well, but he said, ‘No, no, I’ll be fine tomorrow.’”
On whether Manchester City’s poor form is behind them
“You should have asked me this 10 days ago, after the Brighton game. I know what people were saying – we really didn’t perform well. But I know my team; they’re consistent. The reason we’ve won six Premier League titles is that they’ve always been like a machine, a steady team!
To maintain that, we have to prove more. Of course, we played against Manchester United, Napoli a week ago, and now Arsenal – I’ll say this week hasn’t been easy.
But that’s always the case in the Premier League. What matters is the feeling, the team’s atmosphere, especially the body language. I’m just focused on that.
The team’s camaraderie and body language have improved, and I’m really happy about that. Hopefully, we can keep that up… Win or lose, we’ll fight, but when you see the team in a good mood, that’s what we need to keep working on.”
On the importance of beating Arsenal and closing the points gap with a win
“Look, this is just the 5th game of the season! Come on…”
On whether this game will shape the early dynamics of the season
“When I first arrived, Sir Alex Ferguson said to Brian Kidd, ‘In the Premier League, after Boxing Day, stay close to the top four. Only then do you start thinking about other things.’
Last season, after Boxing Day, we were… (it was like we were) in a different country. So let’s just wait and see what happens – that’s all.
There are so many games. From experience, in the six Premier League (titles) we’ve won, I think four or five times we were behind Liverpool, and also behind Arsenal, in December and January. But in the end, we won the title. So seeing the team grow – that’s the only thing I care about right now.
Watching the team improve day by day. We won’t win the Premier League because of Sunday’s game, and we won’t lose it because of Sunday’s game either.
So what we care about is the performance – that we’re better than last season, that we build on the many good things we’ve done in these two games, and keep that going.”
On whether Rodri has regained confidence in his fitness and avoiding injuries
“Not yet. He has confidence because he’s a very confident person – extremely confident. In my coaching career, with all the great players I’ve managed – even though I was a professional player myself – I always learn from them, and what I see stays right here (points to his heart).
They’re so self-assured, and Rodri is like that. But knee issues are nothing like what you might think.
A full knee recovery requires the player’s mindset and effort. As long as he’s patient, and we’re patient with him, he’ll be back. Because in midfield, he knows exactly what we need to do – Rodri is a player of another level.
He’s a bit like Phil [Foden], who we talked about before. Last season, Rodri was the best player in the world, but he got injured, and City didn’t have Rodri.
So his return is crucial. We’re trying to avoid repeating what happened in the US – where he got injured time and time again. That would make things much harder for all of us, and it would be tough for him to get back to his best.”
On Arsenal’s transfer spending
“That’s just how it is; they made that decision. I just want to say to my friend Mikel Arteta: if he wins the title, it will only be because of spending, not because he put in a lot of work.
It’s the same with Liverpool! If Arne [Slot] wins again, it will be because he spent a lot of money, right? Because it’s not just Manchester City that this happens to, is it? So it’s the same for all of them.
(Only I want to say to my friend, Mikel Arteta, if he wins the title it will just be because of spending, not because he worked a lot. Like Liverpool! If Arne [Slot] wins again, it will be because he spent a lot of money, right? Because it’s not just Man City that it’s happened right? So, all of them.)
Look, over the years, every club can do whatever they want! You know that? I know we’re treated completely differently, but if he wants to spend money, it’s because he chooses to – and that’s fine!
So all I can say is they’ve been smart. They spent what they thought they could to compete with the best teams in the Premier League and Europe, and they’ve reached that level.
That’s it. He built a team, built a club, step by step, little by little, and Arsenal got better and better. Last season, in Europe, they made incredible progress. To me, they’re the most solid team – their defense never makes mistakes and is so steady, their attack has so much pace, and of course, there’s Nico Jover – who was here before – with set pieces. So in every aspect, this team is really outstanding! In every way!
But we know that. Every team keeps improving, and I know how strong all of them are.”
