Pep Guardiola will take on Newcastle United this weekend.placeholder image
Pep Guardiola will take on Newcastle United this weekend. | Getty Images, Newcastle United
Pep Guardiola has downplayed talk of Arsenal crumbling in the title race as he prepares to face Newcastle United.
Pep Guardiola has insisted he “couldn’t care less” about the title race as Manchester City’s focus is solely on Newcastle United.
For the first time this season, the Premier League has become a genuine tug of war. Arsenal had coasted and went nine points clear on February 9.
However, results have stuttered since, with the chickens coming home to roost in the 2-2 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday. Despite boasting a two-goal lead, the Gunners surrendered to rock-bottom Wolves and many believe a “choke” is on the cards.
‘I couldn’t care less’ Pep Guardiola
Speaking before Newcastle travel to the Etihad, Guardiola claimed he has not had any conversations about Arsenal or the title race. He said: “I didn’t speak one second about that with my players. Yesterday and the day before it’s just Newcastle, Newcastle and Newcastle. I didn’t talk about the table, I didn’t talk about the position or something like that.
“I couldn’t care less. It’s 12 games left, it is an eternity, so many things is going to happen. That is the only truth I have.”
Pep Guardiola on Sir Bobby Robson
The Spaniard also paid tribute to iconic Newcastle manager Sir Bobby Robson - who coached him at Barcelona for one season. Guardiola added: "What a man! I was fortunate and lucky to have him in Barcelona for one season. Truly a gentleman - it was a huge honour. His impact in football, not just in the teams he trained… really good."
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‘They are the benchmark’ - Eddie Howe on Man City
Eddie Howe referred to Man City as the “benchmark” ahead of the Premier League clash. He said: "Genuinely, I think we learn something more about ourselves and our game going forward every time we play them.
“Manchester City have been the benchmark for a number of years for many teams. Each painful defeat we suffer at the Etihad we try to grow from it, evolve and improve. They have been very, very good and are led by an outstanding manager. They continue to be the benchmark in my opinion.
“Every time we've played there, I think we've made mistakes big enough to cost us the game. We've been in the games, they've been competitive, but they have been too good for us on a number of occasions and we need to bridge that gap this weekend."
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