Pep Guardiola claimed Manchester City are showing the mindset to topple Arsenal in the Premier League title race after swatting aside Chelsea.
Inspired by Rayan Cherki, City moved to within six points of the leaders with a game in hand as the two sides prepare to face off at the Etihad Stadium next Sunday.
Guardiola’s side are unbeaten since January and have beaten Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea in recent weeks without conceding a goal.
‘The hierarchy gave me the mentality of amazing players and competitive players, that is the key to success,’ Guardiola said.
‘I push them, they push me. When you arrive in the last month and a half, with one title and in the other two competitions, it’s because the team is really good. Arsenal is a final for us and for them as well.
‘The second half was extraordinary because we had the mindset. In that stage it isn’t the tactics. We know each other for a long time and the players showed a good mentality to win here which is never easy and be close to the top of the league.’
After watching Arsenal lose against Bournemouth at home on Saturday, Guardiola told his players to ‘relax’ and not overthink the ramifications. Goals from Nico O’Reilly, Marc Guehi and Jeremy Doku at Stamford Bridge made sure they took full advantage.
‘Arsenal is the best team so far in England and Europe,’ Guardiola added. ‘You can win 49 games and lose three in the last four – this is the business. The numbers are there with their consistency.
‘We have got a long week and we have to train good and prepare good and it will be difficult. I know the manager perfectly and how good he is at adjusting things.
‘We’ll adjust from the Carabao Cup final and what we have to do with our people to perform well. What defines the teams is how you play.
‘From November, January, February, if you don’t grow as a team in the way you play you won’t win. We have to insist to play better and better, that is the only thing.’
Meanwhile, Liam Rosenior insists he is confident that he can build something special with Chelsea – if given the time to do so by his bosses.
The pressure is already being piled on Rosenior from the fans, who saw their side lose a third consecutive Premier League game without scoring. The last time that happened to Chelsea was in March 1998.
‘I’m here,’ Rosenior said. ‘I need to win in this moment. This is a huge football club. When I first came, I never asked for a lot of time because I understand this club.
‘I understand the traditions and the history of this club. I would like to have that time and I’m confident that, in that time, you can create something very, very special within the time that it takes, which even someone as experienced as Pep (Guardiola) or Jurgen Klopp when he won the titles he did at Liverpool, they had a year to sort things out.
‘I’ve come in January. It’s not an excuse. It’s a reality. I need to win in the now and that’s what I’ll be focused on.
‘Right now we are still in the race for the Champions League. We still have the possibility to win the FA Cup. I have to change it now. I’m not a manager that hides behind ‘maybe we need to do something with other players in the transfer market’. I need to change it now. That’s why I’m here.’
Asked whether Enzo Fernandez, who was serving an internal suspension for using the international break to flirt with Real Madrid, could have made a difference, Rosenior said: ‘Possibly, in hindsight, you see 20-20 in hindsight. I’m looking forward to having him back next week.
‘Enzo has had the conversations he’s needed to have. He’s been fantastic in the last few days in supporting myself and the team and I can’t wait to have him back in the squad.’
Chelsea face Manchester United at Stamford Bridge next Saturday.
