Pep Guardiola has reaffirmed Manchester City’s determination to close in on Premier League leaders Arsenal, insisting his side will continue to “breathe down their neck” as the title race intensifies.
City underlined that intent with a commanding first-half display against Fulham on Wednesday night, building on Sunday’s dramatic comeback win at Anfield against reigning champions Liverpool. The back-to-back statements have reduced the gap at the top to just three points, setting up a compelling duel between the league’s top two sides.
Arsenal, managed by Mikel Arteta, travel to Brentford on Thursday aiming to restore a six-point cushion. However, they do so under mounting pressure after City’s clinical performance ensured the champions kept pace in emphatic fashion.
Despite the tightening race, Guardiola was keen to play down the significance of the current standings, stressing that the focus remains on internal improvement rather than points tallies.
“We were not nine points [adrift] before Anfield, we are not three points [adrift] before Brentford v Arsenal. After that, we will see,” Guardiola said.
The City manager emphasised consistency and performance levels over league mathematics at this stage of the campaign.
“I always say the focus is to grow, grow, grow. It’s how we can be more consistent over 90 minutes, how we can be better, and the players feel that [they are] doing what we want to do.
“We can do it in terms of mentality and patterns defensively and offensively. We are doing that.”
