City ‘still alive’ after latest loss at Aston Villa that sees his side fall six points behind leaders Arsenal.
Despite a 1-0 loss against Aston Villa on Sunday, Pep Guardiola stated that his club was still in the running to win the Premier League again and that it was too soon for Manchester City to worry about Arsenal’s incredible start to the season.
After nine games, City is six points behind Arsenal, but Guardiola seems unconcerned about the distance.
“We have to try to close [it], Arsenal have been solid for many years, this time the concern is how we can improve – better, better, better – and to be close,” the City manager said.
“From my experience it [the season] is so long. So long. This is my experience. There are many teams there and we have a good test against Bournemouth [next weekend], who are doing very well. We will try to do our game.
“I was worried before the [September] international break when we were 14th in the table and they were seven or eight points in front. Our job is not to look at the table. If they win all their games and win the Premier League, congratulations to them, that’s all we can do. But I have the feeling the team is alive, the team is good.”
Guardiola, whose side travel to Swansea in the Carabao Cup fourth round on Wednesday night, added: “I don’t know how many teams can come here and play the way we played, with the courage, possession and chances. We have to be stable with that. I don’t live in October and November thinking: ‘Oh what is going to happen if we don’t win the Premier League?’ So it’s game by game now.”
Erling Haaland, who has 11 league goals this season, did not score for the first time in 13 games as City lost at Villa for the third straight season. Guardiola cited Unai Emery’s team’s calibre. “They are a Champions League team – unfortunately they are not there this season – but they are a top, top team and compete very well,” he said. “I admire them.”