Pep Guardiola has spoken about the difficulty of having to play Liverpool at Anfield after Arsenal dropped more vital points in their Premier League title race with Manchester City.
The Manchester City boss shared how his team have mainly struggled when playing Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool at Anfield since he moved to England, something which Mikel Arteta and his Arsenal side experienced two weeks ago, and it has followed them to a three-match winless run.
For two games in a row, the Gunners let a 2-0 lead slip against Liverpool at Anfield, and then, against relegation-strugglers, West Ham United at the London Stadium.
Many could have argued that, even though Arsenal were 2-0 up in next to no time against the Reds, it was still a point gained. But that same argument couldn’t be pedalled out for the Hammers.
Well, on Friday night, things just become worse for the Premier League leaders because they recorded a 3-3 draw against bottom-of-the-table Southampton in a pulsating encounter at the Emirates.
Those matches were spoken about by Guardiola, as he seemingly sympathised with how tough it is travelling to the red side of Merseyside, as he told his press conference.
“I would say, going to Anfield and getting a result isn’t easy,” said Guardiola. “It’s a place where you can drop points. We won once in the six or seven years that I am here. Draw a few and the others we lost. I know Anfield and how difficult it is.
“After when you play teams like West Ham or what they live to survive in that period is difficult for everyone. Look at the results, it was tight. With all the results in the Premier League now, it was tight. Everyone is playing for the Champions League, and Europa League or staying in the Premier League. That’s why it’s difficult.
“That doesn’t mean it’s not going to happen to us. Of course, it can happen.”
ARSENAL NEED TO WIN
A number of weeks ago, Arsenal could have gone to the Etihad, walked out with a draw, done the same at Newcastle, won the rest of their games and they would have been champions.
But they have well and truly blown it in recent weeks, although, secure those three points in Manchester City’s backyard, then the story takes another twist.
This is it for Arsenal. Wednesday night at the Etihad. Guardiola sees it as the Premier League final. It might be mind games from the Man City boss, but he is still speaking the truth.
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