“We will not catch them!” – Pep Guardiola concedes Manchester City could struggle in Arsenal pursuit

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has admitted that his side could struggle to catch Arsenal in the Premier League title race this season.

City have the opportunity to regain some lost ground on Arsenal on Thursday night, should they manage to record a victory against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

The reigning Premier League champions fell further behind Mikel Arteta’s squad on Saturday afternoon, when they were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw against Everton at the Etihad Stadium.

However, Arsenal’s 0-0 home draw against Newcastle just days later means that Manchester City have the opportunity to cut the gap between themselves and the league leaders back to five points.

Nevertheless, Pep Guardiola believes that should Arsenal maintain the form that they have managed during the first-half of the season, then Manchester City will find it very difficult – perhaps even impossible – to catch them in the games that remain.

Speaking ahead of City’s trip to Chelsea on Thursday night, Pep Guardiola told the press, “Arsenal have an average that they will do more than 100 points (in the Premier League this season) with the way they have done so far.”

The Manchester City manager continued, “If they continue in that way, we will not catch them.”

Manchester City take on Chelsea in an 8PM kick-off (UK) on Thursday night, in the first of two meetings between the two sides in the same week alone – with Graham Potter’s men travelling to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The weekend’s clash will come in the Emirates FA Cup, with Manchester City looking to maintain their push on all four fronts after they also reached the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup – with Southampton awaiting in the next round.