Pep Guardiola accepts that Arsenal have looked relentless in the early stages of the season after they opened up a six-point lead at the top of the Premier League table
Pep Guardiola accepts that Arsenal are looking relentless
Pep Guardiola accepts that Arsenal are looking relentless(Image: SmartFrame/Manchester City FC)
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Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola admitted that Arsenal "look unstoppable right now" as they retained their six-point lead at the top following the weekend's results, while the Catalan joked he's hopeful they may "concede a goal one day".
The Gunners continue to set the pace and saw off Burnley on Saturday with Viktor Gyokeres and Declan Rice on the scoresheet. The clean sheet at Turf Moor was the fourth Premier League game on the bounce that Arsenal had kept their opponents out.
You have to go back to September 28, when Nick Woltemade scored a first-half goal for Newcastle, for the last time Arsenal's backline was breached. Their defence is regarded as among the best in Europe but a summer spending spree has also now given them additional firepower.
Mikel Arteta has a host of quality options to call upon in the final third, which has Arsenal down as the favourites to finally end their wait for a league title with Guardiola fearful of how good they look.
He said: "We are six points behind Arsenal, who look unstoppable right now because they play fantastic. They don’t concede goals, they are so solid, they can score from many different situations, positions and many players. But even with that, I think when we make this step a little bit better [more players start scoring], we will be closer, games will be more tighter and we will be able to win."
City have already played Arsenal and took a point away from the Emirates. Gabriel Martinelli's late equaliser denied them the win in north London but since then Arteta's defence has become a tough nut to crack with the Gunners only shipping three goals thus far. Guardiola joked: "Hopefully Arsenal concede a goal one day. It’s not easy to face them."
The City boss saw his side bounce back from their loss at Aston Villa by beating high flying Bournemouth at the Etihad on Sunday afternoon. Erling Haaland was on hand to bag two of their three goals as his sensational goalscoring form continued.
Arsenal have won four games on the bounce with relative ease
Arsenal have won four games on the bounce with relative ease
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Guardiola missed out on the title last term - only the third time in nine years that he'd been denied the Premier League trophy. After an early blip City look to be getting back to their best and the Catalan believes they've been gathering momentum since the summer with plenty of twist and turns to come.
"I had the feeling since the Club World Cup that we were in a good moment," he said. "It’s just 10 games, still 28 to play. Many things are going to happen but the important feeling is to be better and better."
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