TheNewsGuru

Tag: Pep Guardiola

  • I’m using Pep Guardiola’s tactics – Arsenal coach, Arteta declares

    I’m using Pep Guardiola’s tactics – Arsenal coach, Arteta declares

    Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has explained that he’s using Manchester City’s coach, Pep Guardiola to approach games.

    The Spaniard admitted that the way he has deployed Oleksandr Zinchenko this season was inspired by Pep Guardiola’s use of Phillip Lahm at Bayern Munich.

    According to Arteta, the tactic gotten from Guardiola has helped Arsenal in many ways.

    Guardiola came up with a tactic that has gone on to help shape Arsenal’s title charge this term.

    Lahm, traditionally a right-back, was used in a more central midfield role after the then-Bayern boss hailed him as “the most intelligent player I have ever coached”.

    Zinchenko’s efforts this season with the Gunners have produced something similar.

    Arteta has explained the origin of the tactical shift.

    “It started when I was in Barcelona, we used to play a 3-4-3 diamond and one of the full-backs used to play there.

    “But Pep did it at Bayern for the first time with Phillip Lahm and then that was developed at City with many different ways of doing it with different players.

    “So that is the great thing, that you can take all the time things from other sports, other coaches to make yourself better,” Arteta said.

    Arsenal is currently leading the English Premier League log with eight points clear of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City who has a game in hand.

  • Arsenal vs Manchester city: What I will do if we lose – Guardiola

    Arsenal vs Manchester city: What I will do if we lose – Guardiola

    Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola has revealed what he will do should his side lose to Arsenal today at the Emirate.

    Guardiola noted that he would congratulate Arsenal if they lose to the Premier League leaders on Wednesday night.

    Manchester City trailing Arsenal by just three points could catch up on superior goal difference should the gunners lose tonight.

    Both teams in England will clash today at the Emirates.

    The Gunners are three points ahead of City, although Mikel Arteta’s men have played one less fixture.

    “If they beat us because they are better then this is sport, I’ll be the first to congratulate them, as I’ve always done.

    “But not because we are not there. You want it? OK, fight. Take it. It’s in our hands.

    “We’ll defend this title until the last day. This is what I’d like. To fight to the maximum to try to retain the title. If we don’t, accept it, but we need to give our best. My players have to feel that every day,” Guardiola said.

  • EPL: Erling Haaland injured, could miss Arsenal clash on Wednesday

    EPL: Erling Haaland injured, could miss Arsenal clash on Wednesday

    Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has insinuated that Erling Haaland could miss the club’s all important Premier League Game against Arsenal.

    Erling Haaland was taken off during the halftime of their 3-1 win over Aston Villa on Sunday.

    Rodri, Gundogan, and Mahrez all scored for the Citizens but Ollie Watkins pulled one back for the visitors.

    Meanwhile, after the game, Guardiola was asked about the Norwegian  striker

    “He was uncomfortable and couldn’t continue,” he said.

    When asked if Haaland would be fit for their top-of-the-table clash against Mikel Arteta’s men, Guardiola replied: “We will see how he is.

    Haaland has scored 25 goals for Manchester City this season and he’s in the right position to win the golden boot award for this season.

  • EPL: We’ve played in the lower division before – Guardiola spits fire

    EPL: We’ve played in the lower division before – Guardiola spits fire

    Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola has lent his  voice over the financial rule breach charge against his team over the past few seasons.

    Speaking at an English Premier League  pre-match conference, the Spaniard made it known that he would take whatever the outcome is concerning the financial breach.

    If found guilty, City could be heavily deducted points, expelled from the Premier League or even stripped of their titles during the alleged period of breaches.

    According to him, that will not bother him at the moment.

    He said “In case we are not innocent, we will accept what the judge or the Premier League decides.

    “When UEFA charged us… it was the same. The same articles, the same accusations. We have been in the lower divisions. We will go back there, just in case,” Guardiola told the media without flinching.

    “But what is actually possible?

    According to a UK based football analyst,  Bab Elliot, said understanding the onset of the madness really matters.

    “First of all, we need to understand the onset of all this madness.

    “These charges include different ways they have tried to inflate what they make or reduce what they spend.

    “But when you get found out, it becomes a problem.

    “In terms of sanctions, we don’t know how long this investigation will go on for. It could be next season. Or even the season after. Because there will be a lot of back and forth.

    “But in terms of sanctions, nothing is off the table. From points deduction to expulsion from the Premier League. Some are even saying they could be sent to the National League, which is crazy.

    “Also, they could be stripped of their past titles, which would be an absolute nightmare. Because what would you say to clubs that should have qualified for the Champions League and lost out on revenues from UEFA those years?”

    Guardiola and City as it appears are already fighting on many fronts. And they could file out against Villa eight points behind Arsenal. Would all these affect them psychologically?

    “I don’t think it will affect them that much. These City players are used to winning. Their mentality is super high.

    “There will be no verdict this year. So this season will play out the way it will.

    “I think Arsenal will win the league though. Because they are the best coached team in the division and they are playing amazing football. Man City on the other hand don’t look like themselves,” Elliott added.

    Manchester City play host to Unai Emery’s Aston Villa in week 22 of the 2022/23 season on Saturday.

    Manchester City versus Aston Villa is the first fixture the Citizens will be playing after the EPL launched the financial rules breach again them.

  • EPL: Guardiola finally speaks on Chelsea’s latest signings

    EPL: Guardiola finally speaks on Chelsea’s latest signings

    Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has finally reacted to chelsea’s latest spending on acqusition of players In the Engish Premier League.

    The Spaniard said it’s none opf his business and wouldn’t want to interfere in Chelsea’s business.

    Guardiola stated this while addressing the media on Friday, ahead of their trip to the Premier League this weekend.

    As a result of the Blues inconsistent performance on a weekly basis the Blues have spent almost £300 million to bring in eight players in January.

    They included stars like Mykhailo Mudryk, Benoit Badiashile and Noni Madueke.

    Chelsea’s total spend was more than Ligue 1, Bundesliga, La Liga, Serie A and the Championship combined.

    “It’s none of my business. It’s a surprise because it’s not a club state.

    “What I can control is the fact we won 11 titles in the last five years being one of the five or six net spend teams in the league. This is all I’m concerned about what we’ve done so far in this time,” Guardiola said.

    Chelsea face Fulham at the Stamford Bridge today with many of their newly acquired stars  available for selection.

    Meanwhile, Pep Gurdiola’s side have a date with Tottenham Hotspurs on Sunday as they press home for trophies this season.

  • Manchester City dump Arsenal out of FA cup

    Manchester City dump Arsenal out of FA cup

    League leaders Arsenal were on Friday night dumped out of the FA cup by Manchester City courtesy of Nathan Ake’s 64th minute low drive goal solitary goal.

    Gunners had a wonderful; first half creating chances and breaking Manchester City on the counter whilst  the  Citizens also had few attempts at goal.

    Upon resumption in the second half, the host changed their tactics and one of their upsurge forward resulted in a solitary goal that bundled Arsenal out of the competition.

    Erling Haaland was quiet but the fact that City got over the line against opponents who have become so formidable, and who have lost only one league game this season, will delight Guardiola.

    It was victory that came at a cost, however, with defender John Stones – so outstanding for his club this season and for England at the World Cup – forced off on the stroke of half-time after pulling up clutching his hamstring.

    Stones has been an influential presence for City and Guardiola will hope the medical bulletin does not present a long-term problem.

    The result meant Arsenal are no longer in contention in any domestic competition apart from the League which they are the favourite to win.

    However, Arsenal are still very much involved in the continental competition Europa League.

    Manchester City are through to the fifth round of the English FA cup and will await their opponent as the tournament progresses.

  • I’m ready to fight Arteta on the sidelines – Pep Guardiola

    I’m ready to fight Arteta on the sidelines – Pep Guardiola

    Ahead of this weekend  FA clash between Manchester City and Arsenal, Pep Guardiola has warned his friend and brother,  Mikel Arteta that he (Pep) is prepared to ‘fight on the touchline’ when both teams meet in the FA Cup fourth round on Friday.

    Both teams will be clashing for the very first time this season as their initial EPL clash earlier billed for November was postponed due to bad weather.

    Guardiola and Arteta share great respect for each other as the latter has served as an assistant to the former at the Etihad before becoming the boss at the Emirates Stadium.

    But Guardiola has said he is ready for things to get heated during the match, saying in his pre-match press conference: “He’s a rival, of course he is.

    “He wants to beat me and I want to beat him. I know how we both are and in defeat we are not the best friends in the world.”

    Guardiola explained that the respect he has for his former assistant as a person and as a manager will not diminish even “if we’re going to fight on the touchline.

    “Sooner or later it’s going to happen.”

  • EPL: Why I still got angry despite 4-2 win against Tottenham – Guardiola

    EPL: Why I still got angry despite 4-2 win against Tottenham – Guardiola

    Manchester City Boss, Pep Guardiola expressed displeasure over his side’s display against Tottenham Hotspurs despite defeating the Lilly White 4-2 at the Etihad on Thursday night.

    Speaking to Sky Sports  after the full-time whistle, the former Barcelona manager was furious about his side’s showing on the night.

    “We play short and we play because our manager told us how to play like this and have to do this, but there is nothing from the stomach and the guts. We were lucky but without change sooner or later again we are going to drop points.

    “[We are lacking] passion, desire, to win from minute one. It’s the same for our spectators, our fans. They are so silent for 45 minutes.

    “It is my duty, it is my job. I want my fans back. I want my fans in here. Not my away fans – my away fans is the best. But my fans in here, we want support for every corner, their reaction and support, because we play, we cannot expect [to win].”

    Guardiola then claimed that the lack of desire of his side was potentially his players getting far too comfortable at the top of the Premier League and in the process namechecked Arsenal as an example that should be followed.

    He continued: “We have to do it, but everyone is like relaxed. The Premier League doesn’t wait. We have an opponent in Arsenal who is like, they have the fire. Two decades. Without winning the Premier League. And every player knows they will go down in history. That’s how we felt when we won the first Premier League and break all the records and another one back-to-back, and two times back-to-back.

    “In life and everything we have the fire inside, it’s not, we don’t have to ask anything, I just explained the reality that is so comfortable, and opponents don’t wait. You’re telling me how bad? No, we’re second in the league, so we are not 20 points behind.

  • EPL: De Bruyne not injured, will play against Tottenham – Guardiola

    EPL: De Bruyne not injured, will play against Tottenham – Guardiola

    Manchester City coach, Pep Guardiola has revealed that Belgium international, Kevin De Bruyne will be available for selection despite missing training this week.

    Speculations are flying around that the mercurial Midfielder could be injured and may miss today’s encounter against Tottenham at Etihad stadium.

    However, findings show that De Bruyne was absent from City training on Tuesday after being given time off for personal reasons

    The Belgium midfielder’s absence was noted when a television crew filmed part of the training session.

    But City Pep Guardiola told reporters on Wednesday that De Bruyne is set to feature for the champions in the crucial clash against Antonio Conte’s team.

    “He had a personal issue and could not train but today he is back,” Guardiola said.

    Guardiola also revealed City centre-backs Ruben Dias and John Stones are also hoping to return against Tottenham after injury lay-offs.

    Portugal’s Dias has not featured since the World Cup due to a thigh injury, while England international Stones has missed the past three games with an unspecified fitness issue.

    “They are back. They have trained really well in the last two sessions, both. They are in contention,” Guardiola said.

    “We are going to train this afternoon and see the way we have to play and who is going to play.”

    City are hoping to bounce back after their controversial 2-1 defeat at arch rivals Manchester United on Saturday.

    Arguments raged over the nature of United’s game-changing equaliser, when Bruno Fernandes’ strike was allowed to stand despite Marcus Rashford being offside and appearing to interfere with play in the build-up.

    Rashford compounded City’s frustration by grabbing the winner moments later to leave City trailing leaders Arsenal by eight points.

    Refusing to let his players feel sorry for themselves, Guardiola has no intention of dwelling on the frustrating result.

    “It’s over, it’s past. We are not going to change anything now, so the focus is Tottenham. Two minutes later, in the dressing room, that was my message to the team,” he said.

  • EPL: Guardiola begs for more time for Chelsea’s coach, Potter

    EPL: Guardiola begs for more time for Chelsea’s coach, Potter

    Following increasing pressure from fans calling for the sack of newly appointed Chelsea FC Manager, Graham Potter, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has appealed on his behalf for him to be given more time.

    On Sunday evening, Pep Guardiola’s side defeated Chelsea  4-0 in the 3rd round FA cup encounter at the Etihad stadium.

    The result meant Chelsea are out of domestic cup competitions in England and are only competing in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) and English Premier League (EPL)

    It was a particularly poor performance from Chelsea, who managed just one shot on target in the match, with fans heard chanting the name of former boss, Thomas Tuchel, during the second half.

    The Blues have won just one of their last eight matches in all competitions in a wretched run that’s seen them get knocked out of the FA Cup and Carabao Cup as well as slip down to tenth in the Premier League.

    Commenting on the humiliating defeat, Potter said:“I can understand their [the fans’] anger. They’re supporters of Chelsea, they’re used to better than this and I can understand their position.

    “All I know is that we’re working really, really hard. We’re in a tough moment and I think if we want to accomplish anything sometimes there’s going to be a struggle and that’s clearly what we’re in.

    “That’s the challenge for us all, to try and stick together. I acknowledge the feelings of the supporters and I understand them.”

    However,  Guardiola has called for patience and insisted that the former Brighton boss need to be given more time to turn things around.

    “I would say to Todd Boehly, give him time,” Guardiola was quoted on talkSPORT. “I know in big clubs, results are important but I’d say give him time.