Premier League: Pep Guardiola ‘Nervous’ as Manchester City Aim to Derail Arsenal’s Title Challenge

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola admitted the stress of the Premier League title race is getting to him as his aspect shut in on Arsenal forward of Wednesday’s top-of-the-table conflict.

The Gunners maintain a five-point lead over the defending champions, however momentum is on City’s aspect as they’ve two video games in hand and have seen Arsenal draw their final three matches.

Guardiola goes for his fifth Premier League title in seven seasons in England, however believes nerves are signal that he nonetheless has the starvation for extra success.

“It is an effective signal, being slightly bit nervous,” said the Catalan coach at his pre-match press conference.

“Being nervous is part of our lives, being anxious is part of our lives, being scared is part of our lives. We don’t have to be perfect.

“When we educate our children, they (suppose they) have to be excellent for Instagram and TikToks, and this sort of factor, they’ve to be a genius.

“But I would say the uncertainty, things that happen before a game, happen. When I feel that feeling I know it’s normal. The problem would be if I didn’t have that feeling.”

The bookmakers now make City favourites to not solely defend their title, however go on to match Manchester United’s feat in 1998/99 as the one English aspect to win the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup in the identical season.

However, Guardiola warned he expects a response from Arsenal after seeing their lead chipped away in latest weeks by attracts with Liverpool, West Ham and bottom-of-the-table Southampton.

“Always I had the sensation that it could be so tough to play them at this stage however, after three video games dropping factors, will probably be a lot, way more tough now,” added Guardiola.

“I would have preferred it if they had come here with better results than the three last results when they didn’t win a game.”

Both sides might be lacking key defenders as City are with out Nathan Ake, whereas William Saliba’s continued absence poses a headache for Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.

Without the Frenchman, Arsenal have conceded seven objectives of their final three video games and should discover a means of preserving City’s 48-goal marksman Erling Haaland quiet.

But Arteta has inspired his younger aspect to embrace the “unimaginable” opportunity they have to shock the football world by bouncing back at the Etihad to keep the destiny of the title in their own hands with five games to go.

“It is going to be a tough night and challenge, yes, but the opportunity is incredible for us,” mentioned the Spaniard.

“You need to be champion, you might have to win these matches, it’s as easy as that.”

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