Pep Guardiola wants Manchester City fans to lift tired players against Arsenal
The FC panel explain why they unanimously agree Arsene Wenger and Arsenal are in for a rough match at Manchester City. Pep Guardiola insists Arsene Wenger needn't worry about Man City emulating Arsenal's unbeaten 2003-04 campaign.
Pep Guardiola has called on Manchester City fans to help re-energise his Manchester City side against Arsenal on Sunday following their Champions League exertions.
City boss Guardiola expects the Premier League leaders to be a little weary after Wednesday's 4-2 win at Napoli.
And Guardiola, whose side host the Gunners' at the Etihad Stadium, said: "We need our fans' support. After the Champions League, it is so tough.
"On Thursday [in the Europa League], Arsenal played without the real squad who are going to play on Sunday, so they rested for one week.
"The lack of energy we will have is normal after the Champions League, so our supporters can help us in that."
City have not been beaten in 22 competitive fixtures since being edged out by Arsenal in last season's FA Cup semifinal.
Their current run of 14 successive wins is a new club record, but Guardiola said: "What matters is to play good and win the game.
"Records are always a consequence of winning games and making good achievements. The main thing is to win the next one."
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Sergio Aguero's strike in Naples was his 178th for the club, eclipsing the 78-year-old record of Eric Brook, and City have plans to commemorate his achievement with a presentation before the game.
"I said many times that sooner or later was going to break it," Guardiola said. "He was focused on winning the game, he was focused on doing what he had to do for him for his teammates, for the club, but it was good news for him.
"It is a big achievement and he has to be so proud. Now Sunday is another game.''
Guardiola's contract ends in 2019, but he said: "We'll have time about that.
"I was happy last season, so you can imagine how happy I am now. I've been comfortable here since the beginning. It is not a big issue.''
City are Premier League favourites after opening up a five-point lead, but the coach stressed that it was still early days.
He said: "How many games are left? Twenty-eight. How many points? Eighty-four. Eighty-four points to play for, five points in front. It's nothing.
"Even for the best teams in the world, in the whole history, it's impossible to maintain what we have done in the last two months."
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Source: espn.co.uk
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