Guardiola insists Manchester City is not dropping points anymore
Manchester City FC manager Pep Guardiola has emphasised that his side must secure victories in all their remaining fixtures if they are to finish the campaign ahead of Arsenal FC.
City’s important 2-1 triumph over Arsenal on Sunday, April 19, 2026, has kept their ambitions alive, giving them the chance to leapfrog the North London outfit if they manage to defeat Burnley FC in their upcoming league encounter on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at Turf Moor. However, Guardiola made it clear that any slip-up from now on would likely end their pursuit of the top spot.
Arsenal’s consistency
You might also like
Speaking about Arsenal’s lengthy stay at the summit, Guardiola acknowledged their consistency, stating: “200 days, that shows how good they have been, how consistent they have been.” He added that the next fixture offers an opportunity to draw level, saying: “This is a game to try to be the same points as them.”
Reflecting on past title battles involving Arsenal and Liverpool FC, Guardiola stressed how costly dropped points can be in the closing stages of a season. He remarked: “As we have with Arsenal and Liverpool in the past, both teams know we cannot drop points or lose, because it will be difficult to recover.” He also highlighted the demanding nature of the schedule, noting: “The calendar is so demanding. It’s really tough.”
When asked whether chasing the league leaders creates more pressure than leading the table, Guardiola admitted the physical demands have made the challenge harder. He explained: “No. More difficult, especially physically with what happened after Arsenal.” Looking ahead to the Burnley clash, he underlined the team’s mindset, saying: “We go to Burnley and have to perform to the level that we have to do. We go to win the game because it’s what we need.”
Sila and Rodri’s influence
Guardiola also praised the influence of midfielders Bernardo Silva and Rodri, noting that their experience and composure have been key to City’s recent strong performances, even though Rodri is expected to miss the trip due to injury.
He highlighted their calmness and leadership on the pitch, explaining: “The last games have been really important – both have experience, personality and are players that can make a lateral drive, left, right.” Guardiola further added: “With the next action, they are composed with and without the ball.”
The City boss pointed out that their physical presence and experience continue to make a difference in high-pressure fixtures, stating: “The physicality and many things. They are not young guys anymore, they are experienced in these types of games and know how they must be played.”
While praising their recent performances, Guardiola reminded observers of Rodri’s long absence and how the squad adapted. He said: “They were exceptional, but not just these recent games. We cannot forget it has been 16 months without Rodri. Success depends on the players you have.”
He added that squad health plays a major role in competing for trophies, explaining: “If you don’t have injuries or not in the right spot, always you can compete.” Guardiola continued by expressing satisfaction with how the team managed without Rodri, noting: “That’s why I am pleased with how we do without Rodri.”
Looking back at last season, Guardiola acknowledged it had imperfections but still brought positives. He said: “Last season was not perfect, but we got to the FA Cup final and finished third.” He believes this season has shown greater steadiness overall, adding: “Everything was more consistent this year.”
Guardiola also credited the contributions of Mateo Kovacic and Nico Gonzalez for stepping up during Rodri’s absence. He concluded by praising their efforts, saying: “We had an incredible player in Mateo Kovacic who has been one year out and Nico Gonzalez helped us a lot in the absence of Rodri to be where we are now.”
