Mueez Ajao
– Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says his side will have to be “almost perfect” to catch Premier League leaders Arsenal in the title race.
– City can reduce the gap to five points with victory over Chelsea on Thursday after Arsenal were held by Newcastle.
– Guardiola said: “The way to reduce the gap is playing good and winning games.
Also Read: Man City drop points in title race against Everton
– “They (Arsenal) are going to do 100 or more points the way they have gone so far. If they continue this way, we will not catch them.”
– City are second in the table, eight points behind Arsenal with a game in hand.
– Speaking before the trip to Stamford Bridge, Guardiola added: “We have to be almost perfect I would say, from here to the end of the season – and hope they drop a little bit in their performance, because yesterday [against Newcastle] they were excellent.
– “We will see what happens.”
– Chelsea are 10th in the table having won just one of their last seven Premier League games, but Guardiola expects a difficult night for his side.
– It is the first of two meetings with Graham Potter’s side as an FA Cup third-round tie at the Etihad follows on Sunday.
– Guardiola said: “It’s a tough game, [against] a tough side, well managed. Stamford Bridge – what can I say? It doesn’t matter what position you are when you travel there, it’s always difficult.
– “But, at the same time, we are looking forward to this week, and these next two weeks, for the different competitions and especially the Premier League.”
– Over the next month, City visit Southampton in a Carabao Cup quarter-final tie, and face a Manchester derby at fourth-placed United and two league games with Tottenham.
– Guardiola also confirmed defender Ruben Dias would miss the game against Chelsea, but said 18-year-old Rico Lewis had played “beyond my expectations” at right-back.
– “What he’s done in the last three games against top sides, under big pressure, how good he played, was beyond my expectations,” added Guardiola.
– “When we review the games, everything is well done.
– “He is such an intelligent player and can play in different positions. We are delighted the academy has produced another top player and we hope he can stay for a long time.”
