Pep Guardiola discusses fatigue concerns in Manchester City squad ahead of Arsenal clash

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola will strive to give every game the importance it deserves as his side chase a potential treble of trophies.

The Blues’ hopes of a third successive Premier League title received a significant boost when leaders Arsenal were held to a third draw on the trot by Southampton this weekend.

Mikel Arteta’s men have undergone a slump in form of late and are set to face off against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday in a game that is bound to have major implications on the title race.

Meanwhile, treble-chasing City sealed their berth in the FA Cup final, where they will play local rivals Manchester United, with a comfortable semi-final beating of Sheffield United at Wembley on Saturday.

Guardiola’s men have won all but one of their last 12 games across all competitions, seeing off Bayern Munich over two legs in the Champions League quarter-final in the process and closing the gap to Arsenal in the Premier League table.

After City’s 3-0 triumph at Wembley, the Catalan was asked about fatigue amongst his squad and whether the demanding schedule will see him rotate his pack in the run-in.

“I said yesterday (ahead of the FA Cup semi-final), they didn’t rest for the fact that, ‘I give you rest because the FA Cup is not important for you’. No, no it’s not about that – I saw them tired,” said Guardiola.

“(About) Rodri, I spoke with my staff and said, ‘I cannot play (him), I am devastated’. So when this happens, you don’t play. I had the feeling with John (Stones) and others; I spoke with Gundo (Ilkay Gundogan) and he said, ‘No no, I feel fresh,’ and I said okay.”

A win over Arsenal on Wednesday will see City close the gap further to the Gunners and will leave Guardiola’s side just two points off the top of the table with two games in hand.

The games are coming thick and fast for the six-time Premier League champions, who could play 12 times until the end of the season should they go all the way in the Champions League.

However, Guardiola is keen to avoid making too many changes in personnel to avoid a drop in level of quality on the pitch as City enter the final lap of their season.

The 52-year-old added: “For example, against Burnley at home (in the FA Cup quarter-final), we played a strong lineup (with) Kevin (De Bruyne), Erling (Haaland), Julian (Alvarez) and Jack (Grealish); because in these types of games, if you make substitutions in my experience – you drop too much. It’s better (to) take it seriously.”

The eyes of the footballing world will be at the Etihad Stadium in midweek when the holders welcome title-chasing Arsenal in a much-anticipated fixture at the top of the Premier League table.