Manchester City moved to the top of the Premier League for the first time since November with a 3-1 win at Arsenal in the biggest game of the season so far.
Manchester City are now in pole position to retain the Premier League title and become only the fifth club in English football history to win three successive championships.
Manager Pep Guardiola has spoken to the media to assess their title chances, the mentality of his squad and the weekend’s clash.
ON THE TITLE RACE?
“Still 15 games left a lot of games but we want to arrive at the top eight or ten near the top of the league to make a last effort.
“We are in the position that I would have dreamed at the start of the season, I could not expect to be many points ahead after two titles it’s nearly impossible.”
ON BEING BACK AT TOP OF THE LEAGUE?
“Arsenal still have one game in hand so nothing changed much. If we were a lot of points in front or a lot of points back it would be different.”
ON POSSIBLE MOMENTUM AFTER WIN?
“Momentum is when you win 10 games in a row, we haven’t done that this season.
Three games ago we lost at Tottenham. We’re just thinking about Nottingham Forest.”
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ON MAN CITY’S MENTALITY?
“We have been many years here, many arrive lately but when you are in the locker room you see things quickly.
“It’s not necessary sometimes to tell them how we’re doing, they know exactly who we are.
They know they have to do better if they want to compete at the highest level this season.
“They talk to each other in the canteen and say they need to be better and it’s good because in the end they play.
They’re the artists who work on the pitch, I can’t be involved in that.”
ON WHY HE IS SO GOOD AT COMPETING FOR TITLES?
“I don’t know. Maybe when you are manager of Barcelona, Bayern and City you have more chance of winning titles, that’s an obvious answer.
“Because in this club you have exceptional players and backroom staff helping a lot.
I have had many assistants over the years and they have helped a lot.”
Manchester City travel to Nottingham Forest on Saturday before turning attention the first leg of their Champions League round-of-16 clash against RB Leipzig on Feb. 22.
