Pep Guardiola: If We Win the Title This Season, It Won't Be Our Greatest Achievement

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola doesn't believe a potential Premier League triumph this season would rank among his greatest achievements. The "Citizens" trailed Arsenal significantly for most of the season, but now sit just six points behind with a game in hand. On Sunday, City hosts the league leaders at the Etihad, and a victory, followed by a win against Burnley on Tuesday, could erase the deficit entirely. According to Guardiola, a loss to Arsenal would spell the end of City's hopes, but any other result would keep their chances alive.

When asked if a league triumph this season would be among his greatest achievements with Manchester City, Pep responded:

"No. The greatest has already been achieved. For many new players, it's good to be in this position, to gain experience for the future and for subsequent seasons. It's good to be in the fight after so many years and so many titles won, but it's not our greatest achievement.

Yes, this match is a final. If we lose, it's all over. But with the other two possible outcomes, considering Arsenal didn't win against Bournemouth, there will still be plenty to play for. Six games are a lot, and our schedule is brutal."

Asked if he felt his team was at the level to win the title, Pep replied: "We need to improve even more. The first half against Chelsea wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either. The first 30 minutes against Liverpool weren't good. In the first 30 minutes against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final, they were better. But that's normal. You can't expect to be perfect for 95-96 minutes in these types of matches, like against Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool.

The reality is there are seven Premier League games left, and this is the decisive moment.

Perhaps Arsenal isn't in their best form right now. Mikel said after the Champions League match that they are the only English team to reach the semi-finals and are still undefeated in that competition this season. They've been the best so far, and we want to challenge them. Today I told the players that this is just a football match. Yes, it's important, but if you get distracted by emotions or similar things, you lose focus. What's the goal? To perform well, and that's exactly what we need to do in every aspect to challenge teams like Arsenal."

Asked if he enjoys watching this Arsenal team, Guardiola stated: "Yes. People are so demanding. The media, the fans. I love watching them and I learn many, many things. People want to win. It's been 22 years since they won the Premier League. We can't fight against that aspect. That's something unique to Arsenal. I knew that feeling when we arrived here, you could sense it, and that's something we can't play against."

Pep also provided conflicting news regarding the fitness of players who were doubtful for Sunday's clash.

"Ruben Dias is not ready. Nico O'Reilly is fine. I would prefer to have everyone available, but over the course of a season, there are always players out with injuries."