Pep Guardiola says it’s easier to accept Manchester City’s 5-1 defeat to Arsenal than their 2-1 defeat to Manchester United or their 2-2 draw against Brentford.
Speaking this week about Manchester City’s recent struggles, Pep Guardiola admitted it’s easier to swallow their 5-1 defeat to Arsenal than some of their other recent draws and defeats.
“You lose 3-0, 5-1 against Arsenal, it’s easy to swallow,” Guardiola said. “It’s more difficult these ones at Brentford, against United, and the last game against Madrid, and these games.
“You have to accept it because it’s not normal, but it’s the reality. What can you do? Cry? Complain? It is what it is. We are not good enough.”
Guardiola is presumably making reference to the way those four matches played out. Arsenal dominated the City match and had the lead for all but three minutes of the entire 90, ultimately deserving their victory.
By contrast, City were leading Brentford 2-0 until the 81st minute, but drew 2-2. They were beating Manchester United 1-0 until the 88th minute, but lost 2-1. And they were beating Real Madrid 2-1 until the 86th minute, but lost 3-2.
It’s understandably easier to accept a game where you were simply second best than one you were winning until a screw up at the very end.
On the injury front, Guardiola put Arsenal and Manchester City in the same camp, pointing out that it’s only Liverpool that have had luck with injuries.
“You always expect injuries during the season [but] not this much,” Guardiola said. “I would say it’s not just a problem for Man City. If you see Tottenham, Arsenal right now. Except Liverpool.”
City had another injury scare on Saturday, with Erling Haaland going off with a knee concern. Despite their differences, Arsenal fans will be hoping Haaland gets the all-clear, given City’s game against Liverpool coming up next week.