Pep Guardiola sends ominous message to Arsenal after latest Man City win | Football

Pep Guardiola says his Manchester City team is growing after producing ‘among the best performances of the season’ in a 3-0 win over Fulham on Wednesday.

After the dramatic victory at Liverpool on Sunday, City kept up their momentum with a dominant victory at home over the Cottagers.

Antoine Semenyo continued his impressive form since signing in January by scoring the opening goal, with Nico O’Reilly and Erling Haaland also finding the back of the web before half-time.

The victory puts Guardiola’s side inside three points of league-leaders Arsenal, although the Gunners have a game in hand which they’ll play at Brentford on Thursday night.

Guardiola was keen to point that out after the win, but did warn his title rivals that his team is recovering as we reach the business end of the season.

‘We weren’t nine points [adrift] before Anfield, we should not three points [adrift] before Brentford v Arsenal, after that we are going to see,’ said the Man City boss.

‘I at all times say the main focus is to grow, grow, grow. It’s how we could be more consistent over 90 minutes, how we could be higher and the players feel that [they are] doing what we wish to do.

‘We will do it by way of mentality and patterns defensively and offensively. We’re doing that.’

After the emotional and taxing win at Anfield just just a few days ago, Guardiola felt his team produced considered one of their best displays all campaign to see off Marco Silva’s side.

‘Really good performance, among the best this season,’ he said. ‘After Anfield, in our experience when there’s necessary emotional names like Anfield or the Champions League it’s at all times tricky.’

The Catalan added: ‘We were together, more calm with the ball, we made inside, outside [runs]. I’d say the position was not perfect for Nico O’Reilly and Phil [Foden] but sometimes it happens to be in higher positions, but normally really pleased.

‘We suffered lots at Fulham and today, after physically and emotionally at Anfield, it is absolutely tricky but we talked lots and I said ‘guys we have now to do it again’ and we did it.’

There was one concern for Manchester City as Haaland was taken off at half-time, replaced by Omar Marmoush.

Guardiola didn’t give much away on the problem, but suggested it was not serious and it was easy to switch the Norwegian together with his side already three goals to the great.

‘It was an issue, a niggle, that’s why,’ he said of the substitution.

‘Niggle, he felt something uncomfortable. There’s so many games. I haven’t spoken to the doctors so I don’t know exactly what it’s. I don’t know.

‘He said he didn’t feel comfortable so I took him out, it was common sense.’

Haaland will certainly be given the weekend off against Salford within the FA Cup, returning to Premier League motion on February 21 against Newcastle.

The Norwegian, and the remainder of the Manchester City set-up, will probably be watching with interest on Thursday night as Arsenal travel across London to tackle Brentford.

Mikel Arteta’s men are favourites to win, however the Bees are coming off back-to-back victories over Aston Villa and Newcastle as their impressive season continues, sitting seventh within the table.

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