Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has touted Arsenal to reach the 100-point mark by the end of the season.
Last season’s defending champions are currently right points behind league leaders Arsenal, led by Guardiola’s former protégé, Mikel Arteta. The Gunners have yet to face Manchester City but have been able to secure a berth that gives them a lot of room for error when that match comes around.
Meanwhile, City are struggling a bit this season even though they are not out of the top four and are the highest goalscorers in the league. They have an opportunity to cut Arsenal’s lead at the top to five points when they face Chelsea on Thursday.
Guardiola is watching his former assistant through the looking glass while preparing for the challenges that lie ahead of his team.
Speaking at the press conference on Wednesday before their clash with Chelsea, Guardiola commented on his side’s chances of retaining the league with Arsenal is such tremendous form.
“The way to reduce the gap is by playing good and winning games,” said Guardiola at the press conference ahead of the trip to Stamford Bridge.
“But they (Arsenal) are going to do 100 or more points the way they have gone so far. If they continue this way, we will not catch them.
“We have to be almost perfect, I would say, from here to the end of the season and hope they drop a little bit in their performance, because yesterday they were excellent. We will see what happens.”
Arsenal missed the opportunity to extend their lead to 10 points as Newcastle United held them to a hard-fought draw at the Emirates on Tuesday.
Guardiola will be hoping for more of such performances from other clubs to help their cause as they attempt to win the Premier League three times in a row for the first time in their history.
Meanwhile, the former Barcelona manager is wary of their opponents on Thursday, Chelsea, who are, right now, as desperate as a wounded lion.
The Blues have won just one of their last seven matches in all competitions and Graham Potter is currently feeling the heat from the fans and the club’s board.
Guardiola faces them back-to-back; Thursday in the Premier League and on Sunday in the FA Cup. He is wary of their deep intent to hurt them and spoke of this in his presser.
“It’s a tough game, (against) a tough side, well managed. Stamford Bridge – what can I say? It doesn’t matter what position you are when you travel there, it’s always difficult,” the City boss said.
“But, at the same time, we looking forward to this week, and these next two weeks, for the different competitions and especially the Premier League.”
