Manchester City’s record-breaking run a ‘surprise’ to Pep Guardiola

Pep Guardiola admitted he’s “surprised and impressed” by Manchester City’s record-breaking profitable run, which they prolonged with a narrow victory at Arsenal on Sunday.

City stay 10 factors clear on the high of the Premier League thanks to Raheem Sterling’s purpose inside the primary two minutes, though the scoreline didn’t replicate their superiority over opponents who struggled to construct up attacking momentum. It means they’ve now gained 18 successive matches in all competitions, extending the report they set at Swansea three video games beforehand. Guardiola performed down the feat’s significance however mentioned he had not seen it coming.

“The record will be broken one day, we will lose games,” he mentioned. “I’m surprised and impressed when everyone is suffering in this world, what is happening today, everyone is dropping points, and we were consistent for the last two months.

“We cannot forget that we won at Anfield, against Tottenham, at Goodison Park and here: incredibly tough games in this period. That’s why I’m more than pleased to win just 1-0. People talk and talk about the records but to do this you have to win this type of game many, many, many times.”

City will face Borussia Mönchengladbach within the Champions League spherical of 16 first leg on Wednesday, a tie that shall be performed in Budapest due to Covid-19 guidelines, and host West Ham on Saturday for the primary of 4 successive Premier League dwelling video games. Their sizzling streak contains 13 consecutive top-flight wins however Guardiola believes he’ll want to totally utilise his squad if they’re to take the title.

“We have to rotate the team and we will have to do it again and again. We don’t have time for anything: just to recover and prepare, mentally, as strong a team as possible. But of course we cannot deny, it is 39 points to play, 10 in front, and we need the victories to be champions.”

Fernandinho, the 35-year-old membership captain, was given his first begin in six video games in central midfield. “What a game, what a game,” Guardiola mentioned of the Brazilian’s efficiency. “He’s an incredible person, captain and incredible player.”

Guardiola praised his reverse quantity and former assistant, Mikel Arteta, who he mentioned “knows everything about football”. Arteta’s group improved after a catastrophic begin however managed just one shot on the right track. The Arsenal supervisor was left to lament the early errors that introduced a third defeat in 4 league fixtures. “To start the way we did, conceding the goal and the way we did it, you have to be exceptional in the rest of the game,” he mentioned.

Arsenal’s attentions change to their Europa League spherical‑of‑32 second leg with Benfica on Thursday and Arteta described that match, to be contested in Athens, as a “final”.