Pep Guardiola says Manchester City’s “real season starts now” as they look to hunt down Premier League leaders Arsenal, with momentum back on their side after a thumping pre-break win over Liverpool.
City trimmed the gap to four points before the international pause, smashing Jurgen Klopp’s champions 3-0, while Arsenal stumbled to a 2-2 draw at Sunderland. A win at Newcastle on Saturday could pull City within touching distance.
But despite calling Arsenal’s form “impeccable”, Guardiola warned his side can’t afford to let Mikel Arteta’s men pull away.
“The feeling I had in the past when we fought incredibly against Liverpool was we will not drop many points,” Guardiola said. “If they take a lot of distance it will be difficult to catch up.”
He compared it to last season, when Liverpool stormed to the title with four games to spare, but insisted November isn’t the time to panic.
“There’s two parts of the season, when the summer window is over, and after the international break,” he said. “Now the break is done, we’ll see each other every three, four days until March. Now the real, real season starts.”
Guardiola, who has lifted the Premier League six times with City, said the priority is simply staying in the fight until the final months.
“The important thing is to be close there, and arrive at the end of the season with a chance to fight for it. Winning tomorrow would be an important step for us.”
City head to St James’ Park knowing a win could put them just one point behind Arsenal, who face Spurs in a North London derby 24 hours later. Newcastle, meanwhile, are still searching for form under Eddie Howe.
Guardiola confirmed he will be without Mateo Kovacic and Rodri again, though the Spaniard is edging closer to a return.
“Everybody is fit except Kova and Rodri,” Guardiola said. “Rodri is making good steps. It’s almost three weeks since his setback. He knows he has to take time to recover mentally and physically.”
City’s title push begins now at least in Pep’s eyes. Whether Arsenal blink is another matter entirely.
