Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola refused to consider his team the favorites against Arsenal in the upcoming Premier League match, while Ryan Cherki challenged the Gunners, promising a very difficult night for the London club at the Etihad Stadium.
City secured a resounding 3-0 victory over Chelsea, reducing the gap to six points before facing Arsenal, with Guardiola’s men also having a game in hand against Crystal Palace.
Guardiola: Arsenal are the best team in Europe
Speaking after the win against the Blues about the upcoming Arsenal match, Guardiola said, “We will face a team that hasn’t lost yet in the Champions League and was the favorite to win the League Cup final. No one in this country would have bet on City, but perhaps it will be different this time.”
He added, “I have great respect for Arsenal and what they have achieved over the past few years. I know the manager, the players, the team’s quality, and how they compete in all circumstances. This is the challenge we face. There is a technical issue, but perhaps we will try to adapt with something new.”
He continued, “Arsenal is the best team in England and Europe so far. Beating them once was difficult, let alone beating them twice in a few weeks. I ask the fans to respect Arsenal; they are an exceptional team, and I urge them to come and support us from the first minute because the players will give their all.”
Rayan Cherki Challenges Arsenal
Guardiola also praised Ryan Cherki, who provided two assists against Chelsea, saying, “Cherki is an exceptional talent, and he created the second goal brilliantly with a fantastic pass to Marc Guehi.”
He added, “He is an effective player, but he is still young. If he understands this, he will be an exceptional player, and he already is.”
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The French player himself spoke to the media after the match, saying, “I don’t feel any pressure. I just want to play with my teammates and entertain.”
Regarding the Arsenal match, the player of Algerian descent said, “Now we can go play against Arsenal, and it’s a big game for us.”
Cherki sets records
Cherki became the first player to provide 10 assists in his debut Premier League season since Dimitri Payet with West Ham in the 2015-16 season.
Ryan joins an elite group alongside Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United and Jack Grealish of Everton, having provided two or more assists in three different Premier League matches this season.
Notably, Cherki is second on the list of top goal contributors this season for Manchester City, behind Norwegian striker Erling Haaland, who has 40.
Cherki scored 9 goals and provided 13 assists in all competitions, for a total of 22 goal contributions in 43 matches.
