Latest Nottingham Forest news from NottinghamshireLive as Man City boss Pep Guardiola talks about his team before they head to the City Ground in Premier League action at the weekend
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has criticised himself for a “horrible” decision ahead of facing Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
His team will arrive at the City Ground as league leaders, having beaten Arsenal on Wednesday and taken them to the top of the table on goal difference, though the Gunners still have a game in hand. But despite that, Guardiola is not pleased with himself and will be looking to avoid a big mistake against Forest.
Man City boss Pep Guardiola has slammed his own tactics as he prepares to face Nottingham Forest (Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
Despite being known as something of a tactical genius, Guardiola admitted he tried something new against Arsenal and, despite eventually picking up the three points, the plan backfired on his team and they suffered as a result.
When asked what frustrated him in the game against Arsenal, Guardiola replied: “My tactics. I decided something new and it was horrible. We suffered.
“There was only one team on the pitch after we scored our first goal and that was Arsenal. We couldn’t connect with a pass, we were just playing long balls, no-one was moving and no-one wanted the ball.
“We were soft and my plan was not good. We allowed them to play comfortably but in the second-half we were more aggressive and that’s when the quality of our players made the difference.
“This result is so important because we could have come here a few weeks ago eight or nine points behind them and if we lost it would be almost over.
“Because they have dropped some points it has given us the chance to get closer. But the reality is that I still consider Arsenal to be top of the league because they have played one game less than us.”
Jamie Carragher reveals the ‘only way’ Arsenal can win Premier League title after Manchester City defeat
Jamie Carragher has revealed the ‘only way’ Arsenal can win the Premier League this season after they were beaten by title rivals Manchester City.
Arsenal’s wobble continued on Wednesday night as defending champions Man City secured a 3-1 win at the Emirates Stadium.
The clash was finely poised at half-time after Bukayo Saka’s penalty – won by Eddie Nketiah – cancelled out Kevin de Bruyne’s opener.
But Manchester City asserted their dominance in the second half, with Jack Grealish putting the visitors ahead for the second time and Erling Haaland ending Arsenal’s resistance with City’s third.
The win sends Man City to the top of the Premier League as they aim to win the title for the fifth time since 2018, but Arsenal – without a league title since 2004 – will return to the summit if they win their game in hand.
Carragher has urged Arsenal ‘not to panic’ following the Manchester City defeat and says they need to hope City challenging on multiple fronts gives them an advantage towards the end of the season.
Despite their dominance in England, Man City are still searching for their first Champions League trophy, while they will be expected to go deep in the FA Cup after knocking out Arsenal in the previous round.
City clinched a crucial 3-1 win at the Emirates Stadium (Picture: Getty)
‘I think the big thing for Arsenal is not too panic,’ former Liverpool and England defender Carragher said on CBS Sports.
‘The only way I’ve ever felt Arsenal could win the league is if Manchester City go deep in the Champions League and FA Cup. They will probably get to the semi-finals of both of those competitions at least.
‘When it gets towards the end of the season, Man City could have so many games that even if Arsenal were level or two points behind, they could come late and clinch the title.’
Meanwhile, ex-Chelsea striker Chris Sutton says Arsenal need to ‘keep believing’ despite their poor recent run.
‘People will say they are bottling it,’ he told BBC Radio 5 Live’s Football Daily podcast. ‘Everybody will be talking about how the pressure is really on.
‘But they aren’t bottling it – City were just more streetwise. In the first half, Arsenal showed how good they are. In that Arsenal dressing room, they have to keep thinking they are still in it.
Guardiola hails Man City’s quality after they reclaim top spot from ArsenalVideo Player is loading.Loaded: 1.61%0:00Current Time 0:00/Duration 7:02
‘It’s much better for them to be believing and confronting the challenge, rather than thinking about hiding.
‘It’s clearly a massive blow, how will they recover? Yes they have a game in hand but I thought City were excellent in the second half. They’ve flexed their muscles and said to Arsenal “we are the team to beat”.
The Premier League title rivals both return to action on Saturday, with Arsenal travelling to Aston Villa and Manchester City visiting Nottingham Forest.
Source: nottinghampost.com;
