The Metropolis boss is not getting carried away.
Pep Guardiola urged Manchester City to keep up their focus within the wake of a probably pivotal victory over Arsenal, as his facet prepares for a busy week that they might must sort out with out Rodri.
Metropolis seized the initiative within the Premier League title race as Erling Haaland’s second-half strike secured a 2-1 win in opposition to leaders Arsenal, the Norwegian’s winner coming after Rayan Cherki had seen an excellent opener cancelled out by Kai Havertz, who pounced on ponderous play by Gianluigi Donnarumma to stage.
The end result leaves Metropolis three factors behind Arsenal with a sport in hand. Whereas Arsenal nonetheless have a one-goal benefit by way of objective distinction, Metropolis will go high with a win at Burnley on Wednesday.
Guardiola: Manchester Metropolis have ‘hope’
Metropolis’s journey to Turf Moor precedes an FA Cup semi-final with Southampton on Saturday. Although Metropolis are the heavy favourites for each these video games and have the possibility to take management of the title race, Guardiola supplied a extra reserved perspective on the place a seemingly seismic end result leaves his workforce.
He advised his post-match press convention: “It provides us hope, I mentioned to the blokes: ‘Benefit from the second however don’t lose focus proper now as we now have three or 4 lengthy weeks left.’
“Individuals say we now have momentum however once you see them [Arsenal] compete they’re a unprecedented workforce, in any other case you can’t be all season high of the Premier League and unbeaten within the Champions League.
“I understand how tough it’s to beat them as soon as, think about twice. They stepped somewhat bit greater within the Carabao Cup last [which City won]. Who’s high of the league? We’re not. In objective distinction, they’re higher. However in fact, we now have hopes and nonetheless lengthen the possibility to struggle till the top.”
Metropolis might must make modifications in midfield for the sport with a Burnley facet that may very well be all however relegated by the point Wednesday’s sport kicks off, with the influential Rodri nursing a difficulty after that includes for 88 minutes in opposition to Arsenal.
“I don’t know the way lengthy Rodri will likely be out,” Guardiola mentioned of the 29-year-old.
“[It’s the] groin I believe the physician mentioned however we’ll see. We’ll make a check tonight or tomorrow.”
