Pep Guardiola admits he’s the “happiest man in the world” amid Arsenal title battle

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has stated that he is the “happiest man in the world” despite the ongoing stresses of a Premier League title battle.

City moved to within six points of Arsenal at the summit of the English top-flight, after a 1-4 away win at Southampton preceded a 2-2 draw between the Gunners and Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday afternoon.

Manchester City also have a game in hand on Mikel Arteta’s squad, while the two sides are also due to face off at the Etihad Stadium in their final clash of the season – a contest that could have a huge say in the direction of this season’s Premier League title.

While many coaches would struggle to handle the pressures of competing in the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, and FA Cup at this stage of the season, Pep Guardiola admits that it makes him the happiest man on the planet.

Speaking after the victory on the south coast, Guardiola stressed however that there is no room for error. “Like I said many times, we lose a game and we lose the Premier League (title). In September, October you cannot have that feeling. You say, ‘Okay, we drop points, or whatever’.

“After you have seasons like Liverpool were unstoppable, and right now Arsenal are unstoppable and make a lot of points. Now I have the feeling, like everyone knows, if we lose or drop points today (against Southampton), or Leicester, or of course against Arsenal, we won’t have a chance. But still we are there, many games to play, and what is important is that still we are alive, and in three competitions.”

Despite City’s success in the Premier League in recent weeks, Guardiola does however admit that he would prefer to be in the position of his competitors, and presumably vice-versa.

“I would prefer to be in Arsenal’s position in the Premier League for sure, to take our destiny in our hands. But at the same time I’m pretty sure Arsenal would love to be in the FA Cup and in Europe.

“After what happened in the past, with the incredible amount of games, this season and in previous seasons, still we are being there – I like it. You go to work thinking, ‘Ah if we win against Leicester, still we are alive. If we win against Arsenal, beat them, still we are alive’. Going there and thinking there’s nothing to do and just that.

“It’s the same in the Champions League. Being again in the quarter-finals against the elite in Europe, it’s a moment of joy. In September, October, November, I enjoy less.”

The next few weeks could have a huge say on Manchester City’s dream of winning the three trophies up for grabs, with ties against Arsenal in the Premier League, Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League, and Sheffield United in the FA Cup semi-finals.

However, it is a situation that has Pep Guardiola glowing.

“When you arrive in the later stages, fighting for the titles, I’m the happiest man in the world. I love to be here. What’s going to happen? I don’t know. If we are going to win, everything is going to be perfect.

“If we lose, we will be a failure team. Nothing is going to change, the day after, the sun rises. And try it again in the future. This is the mindset we need to do; knowing that we need to do it, and do it, knowing that we have done it in the past.

“And that’s why I’m incredibly happy with the group of players that I have, with the club we are, and everyone pushing to get better, and better. That’s why we are here.”