Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says the “real season starts now” as his team looks to close in on Premier League leaders Arsenal.
City trimmed the gap to four points before the international break after a dominant 3-0 win over reigning champions Liverpool. Arsenal dropped points in a 2-2 draw at Sunderland, creating a chance for City to gain momentum.
Asked about the significance of recent results ahead of Saturday’s trip to Newcastle, Pep Guardiola highlighted the importance of keeping pressure on Arsenal.
“The feeling that I had in the past when we fought incredibly against Liverpool, I had the feeling that we would not drop many points, and if they can take a lot of distance, it will be difficult to catch up,” he said. “It was similar to Liverpool last season.”
Guardiola, who has won six Premier League titles with City, stressed that nothing is decided in November. “There are two parts of the season, when the transfer window is over in summer and after, when the international break is over,” he explained.
“Now the international break is done, so we’ll be together until March, see each other every three days, four days. Now the real, real season starts.”
The City boss added that the goal is to stay close to the top and arrive at the end of the season ready to fight for the title. He said, “The important thing is to be there, to be close there, and after that, arrive at the end of the season with the chance that we can fight for it. That is the target, and of course, winning tomorrow would be an important step for us.”
A win at St James’ Park would bring City to just one point behind Arsenal, who face London rivals Tottenham the following day.
Guardiola will be without midfielders Mateo Kovacic and Rodri for the Newcastle game.
“Everybody is fit except Kova and Rodri. Rodri is making good steps, it’s been almost three weeks since his last setback. He knows he has to take time to recover well mentally and physically and to be consistent from now until the end,” he said.
