Pep Guardiola: 'If Arsenal wins the title, I will congratulate them'

Following the 2-3 loss against Aston Villa, Pep Guardiola acknowledged that Manchester City performed decently but lost points because they lacked the killer instinct in front of goal, which he sees as the reason for the team's downturn at a vital stage of the campaign.

Man City traveled to Villa Park with the aim of ending a disappointing streak, but they continued to struggle against a well-organized and efficient opponent. This marked the third consecutive defeat for the reigning Premier League champions at this venue. Despite a strong start, Pep’s squad collapsed at critical moments, missing many clear chances in the second half.

When asked about the cause of the loss, Pep Guardiola simply sighed: “I don’t want to complain much about this match. It’s still about small details that make a big difference. Simply put, we didn’t know how to put the ball in the net, that’s all.”

Nevertheless, the Spanish coach affirmed he was satisfied with his players’ fighting spirit: “We are truly a good team. The players controlled the game well but lacked the final pass, the final shot, the final cross to finish the game. We created 16 shots, which isn’t bad, but efficiency remains the issue.”

Pep also emphasized that despite the disappointment, this performance showed progress compared to their defeat to the same opponent last season. “Last season when facing Aston Villa, we played much worse. At least today, the whole team fought to the end and kept control for most of the match,” he added.

When asked about the title race, Coach Guardiola remained calm about Arsenal taking the lead: “I was worried before the international break when we were 14th. But now, I’m not. If Arsenal wins all their games and becomes champion, then congratulations to them. What matters is that we still have energy and desire.”

The Spanish strategist also frankly admitted that Man City needs to improve consistency and chance conversion. “I don’t live worrying about this month or next month. My job is to prepare best for the next match. We need to be more precise and colder in finishing.”

Despite the defeat to Aston Villa setting Man City back in the title race, Pep Guardiola remains confident his team will return to form after the break: “We will get up, as City always does. What I find encouraging is that the team’s fighting spirit is still there.”

Currently, Manchester City trails Arsenal by six points and is preparing to face Bournemouth at Etihad next weekend, a match Pep described as a “mental turning point” before entering the final stretch of the season.

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