Despite a thrilling comeback to defeat Tottenham 4-2 on Friday, Pep Guardiola has warned Manchester City will be “destroyed” by Arsenal in the Premier League title race if they do not improve.
Dejan Kulusevski and Emerson Royal scored twice in three minutes just before halftime to put City on the verge of a second straight defeat.
However, in the first 12 minutes of the second half, Riyad Mahrez, Erling Haaland, and Julian Alvarez all scored, with Mahrez later adding a second to pull Guardiola’s team to within five points of the league-leading Arsenal, who still have a game in hand.
Man City cut the gap to five points 💪#MCITOT | @ManCity pic.twitter.com/vNTipmY0qF
— Premier League (@premierleague) January 19, 2023
What Guardiola Said
City and Arsenal are still to face each other twice in the league this season, but Guardiola took aim at his players for resting on their laurels after winning four league titles in five seasons.
“We cannot deny how happy we are but we are far away from the team that we were,” said Guardiola.
“I want a reaction from all the club, not just the players.
“We are a happy flowers organisation. I don’t want to be, I want to beat Arsenal. If we play that way, Arsenal will destroy us.”
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Meanwhile, Guardiola sent a message with his team selection with Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva among the star names dropped to the bench as Alvarez was paired alongside Haaland in a change of system.
Guardiola stuck to his guns at half-time rather than sending on the cavalry from the bench and it paid off as the champions took just 18 minutes to turn the game around.
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