Manchester City can go top of the Premier League table for at least a few hours on Saturday, as they travel to face Nottingham Forest in the early kick-off before Arsenal welcome Brighton
Pep Guardiola interview
Pep Guardiola isn't satisfied with Manchester City's position(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
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Pep Guardiola has doubled down on his claim that Manchester City are far from where they want to be, despite winning seven games in a row. City are enjoying an formidable run of form as 2025 draws to a close, failing to win just four of their 16 matches since the start of September.
But Guardiola's side remain second in the Premier League table thanks to Arsenal's superior start. City go into Saturday's lunchtime kick-off at Nottingham Forest two points behind the leaders.
A win would move them up into first place for at least a couple of hours, as Arsenal play at home to Brighton later in the afternoon. Like their title rivals, City still have the chance to win four trophies this season, but Guardiola isn't content with their first half of the campaign.
"Well, the best place to be is at the top and still we're not there," the Catalan told club media. "I'd prefer to be ten points clear of everyone, but it is what it is.
"Arsenal's doing really well but we are there, so at the end we're still in the end of December, and the Champions League we are up there and Premier League we are there, semi-finals of the Carabao Cup, we start the FA Cup soon, some important players are coming back, so let's step by step, game by game what's going to happen."
Guardiola also used his pre-match press conference to pay tribute to Forest legend John Robertson, who died aged 72 this week. "We're travelling to one of the toughest places, and Forest away has always been tough, especially in this period and with an important person in the history and legacy like Mr Robertson who unfortunately passed away," he added.
"On behalf of Manchester City, I wanted to give big condolences to Forest especially, his family, I know how important he was, scoring in the European Cup, Champions League in that time. It'll be nice tomorrow to take a tribute on behalf of Man City for an important player for that club."
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 02: Josep 'Pep' Guardiola, manager of Manchester City, looks on as he is interviewed by Sky Sports during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at Etihad Stadium on May 02, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Manchester City have won seven games in a row
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Guardiola's comments echo what he said after City impressively beat Real Madrid 2-1 in the Champions League earlier this month. "We are (far) away," he told TNT Sports. "Still we are not ready. In February, we will be better.
"We have been here in the past, playing much than today, and we have lost. That's football sometimes. The players made an incredible effort, it was an incredibly good result, the spirit is unbelievable, but there are still margins to improve."
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