Pep Guardiola insists the strength of Arsenal means Manchester City can not afford to drop points in the Premier League title race.
The Citizens continue their quest for a record-breaking fourth Premier League title in a row this weekend when Wolves visit the Etihad.
Guardiola’s side sit second at present, a point behind leaders Arsenal but with a game in hand on the Gunners above them. Arsenal have been in impressive form of late with wins over Chelsea and Tottenham in London derbies and Guardiola believes his team do not have any margin for error in the run-in.
Asked whether City’s greater experience in title races will benefit his team, Guardiola said at his pre-match press conference: “I would love [that], but I don’t know, I don’t have an answer to this question. I would love to say yes but we have to prove it tomorrow against Wolves and in the next games.
“We know that we have to win all 12 points, otherwise it will be difficult because Arsenal are so strong. It depends on us. One at a time and we try to win the games.
“It’s no more complicated. I would like to say what we have done in the past is going to happen again this season but nobody knows it.”
Guardiola congratulated Phil Foden on his FWA Footballer of the Year award and said discussed the thriving Manchester City academy. Several stars produced at City have impressed across the Premier League this season, including Chelsea’s Cole Palmer and Aston Villa winger Morgan Rogers.
“Of course for the academy, players see players who were in the academy making a huge target. Look how many players come from the academy in all around the world. Morgan at Aston Villa was here and many players. The last five, six, seven years was unbelievable. Not all players can play here, it’s a question of space. [We] help them to be better players, human beings. All of them are professionals.”
