Pep Guardiola has warned that beating Arsenal twice in a matter of weeks will be a huge task, as the Premier League title race gathers pace.
Manchester City closed the gap on the leaders with a commanding 3-0 win over Chelsea on Sunday, moving to within six points with a game in hand.
The sides now meet again at the Etihad Stadium next weekend, with City hoping to repeat their 2-0 win in the Carabao Cup final.
“Beating Arsenal once is so difficult, imagine beating them twice in a few weeks,” Guardiola told reporters.
“So we have to rest, prepare and read exactly what we have to do. But I would like to say to my fans: respect Arsenal a lot. They’re an extraordinary team. They are. It’s not naive, it’s not to make them feel something that they are not.
“But at the same time: come join us and support us minute one. The players will do the maximum.”
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Guardiola went further, describing Mikel Arteta’s side as Europe’s standout team this season.
City’s latest win came through goals from Nico O’Reilly, Marc Guehi and Jeremy Doku, keeping the pressure on in the Premier League title race.
“We have to talk about what we have to do against a team that defends well, wins duels, attacks also with the long balls, thousand million things that they do brilliantly this season,” he said
“That makes them the best team in England, the numbers are there, and the best team in Europe, the numbers are there. We have incredible respect.”
City’s surge in form has been striking. They remain unbeaten in their last three matches across all competitions, including a 4-0 FA Cup quarter-final win over Liverpool in the FA Cup.
Asked why his team tends to peak late in the campaign, Guardiola offered a humorous explanation in comments reported by Fabrizio Romano.
“The sun. No, no, I’m not joking,” he said.
“In Manchester, there is never sun. If there were sun in November, we would be Premier League champions in January. It’s the sun, honestly. The mood is better.”
