Guardiola worried about Arsenal? Manchester City manager responds

PREMIER LEAGUE Guardiola worried about Arsenal? Manchester City manager responds

Kiplagat Sang 17:20 - 21.04.2023

The Cityzens and the Gunners will soon face off in what is seen as a the Premier League race decider.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has insisted he is not worried about Arsenal.

City and Arsenal are in a tight race to secure this season’s Premier League title and are scheduled to meet at the Etihad on April 26.

The Cityzens will face Sheffield United on Saturday in the FA Cup semi-final, while Arsenal are in Premier League action against Southampton on Friday.

Guardiola is expected to rotate his side during the FA Cup semi-final duel and has said that should he do that, it will be because of fatigue.

"No, no," Guardiola answered – as per Manchester Evening News - when asked whether he was more worried about Arsenal.

"I saw we have four days. One more day than we have now. We wanted to play on Sunday, but I understand United played yesterday, so they have to play on Sunday.

"When I rotate team it's not because it's an FA Cup semi-final, it's because it was after a demanding, demanding game. I will have to debate with my staff what's the best.

After their Champions League match against Bayern Munich, the Spaniard admitted the players are exhausted. 

"I have to see, I have to smell how the players are doing today," he added.

"After Munich, they couldn't even celebrate because they were so tired. They didn't have as many sequences on the ball to rest on; they had to run a lot. We will train today (Friday), and I will have to talk to some.

"Of course, they will lie and say they want to play, but we will have to make sure they're in the best condition. It's not just this game; we have played many, many games every three, four days, knowing if we lose, we're out. It's fatigue. We will have to see."

Although Sheffield United are a second-tier side, Guardiola insists they are not an easier opponent.

"It will be an extremely difficult game tomorrow (Saturday) for the reasons I say before: the quality of the opponent," he added.

"The set pieces, link in the channels, link up with (Olie) McBurnie, they are so aggressive in the channels. We will have to deserve to be in the final."