Pep Guardiola, manager of Manchester City, has revealed that the pressure of the Premier League title chase is getting to him as his team closes in on Arsenal ahead of Wednesday's top-of-the-table game.
The Gunners lead the defending champions by five points, but City has momentum because they have two games in hand, and Arsenal has drawn their previous three.
Guardiola is trying to win his fifth Premier League title in seven seasons in England (EPL). However, he believes his anxieties indicate that he is still hungry for further success.
"Being a little nervous is a good sign," the Catalan coach stated at his pre-match press conference.
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"We all experience nervousness, anxiety, and fear at some point in our lives." We are not required to be flawless.
"When we teach our children, they believe they must be ideal for Instagram, TikToks, and other social media platforms.
"However, I would say that the uncertainty, the things that happen before a game, do happen." When I have that sensation, I know it's natural. The issue would be if I didn't have that sensation."
The City is now considered favourites to retain their title and replicate Manchester United's accomplishment of winning the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup in a similar season in 1998/99.
On the other hand, Guardiola has cautioned that Arsenal will respond after seeing their lead eroded in recent weeks by draws with Liverpool, West Ham, and bottom-of-the-table Southampton.
"I always thought it would be difficult to play them at this stage, but after three games of dropping points, it will be much, much more difficult now," Guardiola added.
"I would have wanted it if they had come here with better results than their last three when they didn't win a game."
Both teams will be missing crucial defenders, with City missing Nathan Ake and Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta concerned about William Saliba's continuing absence.
Arsenal have conceded seven goals in their previous three games without the Frenchman and must find a way to keep City's 48-goal marksman Erling Haaland quiet.
But Arteta has urged his young team to use the "incredible" potential to stun the football world by rebounding back at the Etihad to preserve the title in their own hands with five games remaining.
"It will be a difficult night and a challenge, but the opportunity is incredible for us," the Spaniard remarked.
