City are five points off Premier League leaders Arsenal with two games in hand ahead of Wednesday night’s Etihad meeting between the top two.
However, with eight wins in our last nine league matches, we’re piling the pressure on Mikel Arteta’s team.
City v Arsenal | Kick-off time, TV info, form guide
Speaking in his press conference on Tuesday, Guardiola does not believe City being second this late in the season means his team have not matched the levels of the last two title-winning title campaigns.
Instead, he focused on the incredible standards set by Arsenal, who dropped just seven points in their first 19 matches.
“I didn’t have [the feeling] we were making a bad bad season or we drop a lot of games. The problem was Arsenal were unstoppable,” he told media.
“They made 50 points in one half. When this happens it’s hats off.
“I think we didn’t drop in comparison much from the previous seasons. But at the end we were consistent, kept believing, stayed there, game by game knowing what we have to do and in the end the situation is the situation.
“But tomorrow, at home where we feel comfortable with our people, I know everyone will be there and we will feel them. Hopefully our football can help to make them feel more and more. We will see. After, the players will do their best.”
Having won all of the biggest trophies in European club football multiple times and cemented his status as one of the finest managers in the world, Guardiola is used to the big occasion.
With City chasing a third Premier League title in three campaigns and through to a UEFA Champions League semi-final with Real Madrid and FA Cup final with city rivals Manchester United, there will be more to come in the remainder of the season.
Ahead of the latest crunch clash, the 52-year-old insisted he still savours such high-pressure fixtures.
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“The uncertainty before a football game, it happens,” he said.
“When I have the feeling, I know myself it’s normal. The problem would be if I didn’t have that feeling.
“In the same time, after the game whatever happens good or bad I’ll say ‘it’s part of the game’ and the next one.
“I like to live this kind of adrenaline is maybe the best word to define this. The adrenaline you have in the end. But I sleep quite well so it’s not a problem.”
City will have to face Arsenal without the man who scored the winner in January’s FA Cup meeting between the sides.
Nathan Ake was substituted during the first half of last week’s Champions League quarter-final second leg with a hamstring injury.
The defender missed the weekend victory over Sheffield United in the FA Cup and Guardiola has stated he will not be back in action on Wednesday.
“I think hopefully he can be back soon, but for tomorrow he’s not ready,” he said about Ake.
However, the boss believes he has the options in his squad to provide adequate cover for the man who has spent most of the season at left-back.
“We will find the right player to do it. I have no doubts about that. We play with 11,” he said.
