Pep Guardiola remains hopeful about Manchester City's title prospects despite acknowledging the significant gap to Arsenal. City has faced challenges this season, suffering three losses in their first
ten matches. However, a recent 3-1 win over Bournemouth lifted them to second place, trailing Mikel Arteta's team by six points. Guardiola praised Arsenal's strong start but believes it's too early to predict the title's destination.
Guardiola expressed admiration for Arsenal's performance, noting their impressive form and defensive strength. He stated, "If they continue to play games and not concede goals, it will be almost impossible. " He emphasised the importance of focusing on winning their own matches and hoping for Arsenal to drop points. Guardiola added that titles aren't won in early November, though they can be lost.
The upcoming match against Liverpool marks Guardiola's 1000th game as a manager. Reflecting on his career, he shared his gratitude for the journey. "When I started, I didn't expect this," he said. Despite not enjoying every moment, he found joy in the overall experience. His tenure has been marked by success at clubs like Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
Guardiola also highlighted his rivalry with Jurgen Klopp during his time at Bayern and City. They met 30 times, with Klopp winning 12 matches and Guardiola 11. He spoke fondly of Klopp, who left Liverpool in May 2024, saying, "Jurgen gave me a lot and I miss him. " Their healthy rivalry pushed both managers to excel.
As City prepares to face Liverpool, Guardiola reflected on their past encounters. Liverpool has been City's main rival during his nine-year tenure in England. Despite Liverpool's recent struggles, losing six out of seven matches at one point, Guardiola acknowledged that setbacks are part of football.
He drew parallels with City's own difficult periods last season, stating that enduring tough times is essential for growth. "In 10 years, we had two or three months that were really bad," he said. The key is how teams recover from such challenges and continue striving for improvement.
Pep If I have to choose one rival to this [Liverpool], I will share it with many people but this will be the best. I have been here longer than others in this country, the impact its had on my life. Barcelona is my club and Bayern was incredible but Liverpool have been the pic.twitter.com/4Px4quQqk0
- Manchester City (@ManCity) November 7, 2025
Guardiola's respect for Liverpool extends beyond competition; he values their impact on his career in England. He described Liverpool as a significant rival due to their influence on his journey as a manager. Despite challenges faced by both teams recently, Guardiola remains focused on improving City's performance.
Looking ahead to Sunday's match against Liverpool, Guardiola remains optimistic about City's potential for success this season. While acknowledging Arsenal's current lead, he believes there is still ample time for City to close the gap and compete for the title.
