Pep Guardiola Unleashes Fiery Blast at Arsenal: "That Is All Bull----" as Man City Boss Issues Stern Warning
Pep Guardiola has issued a stark message to Premier League frontrunners Arsenal, declaring that Manchester City have overcome the difficulties that derailed their campaign last season, emphasizing the core issue was insufficient "energy" and dismissing any alternative explanations focusing on his tactical approach as "bull----."
Following their historic achievement in 2023–24 of becoming the inaugural team in English football to secure four straight top-division championships, City collapsed during their quest for a fifth consecutive title last season.
Managing only one Premier League victory in a stretch of nine matches between Nov. 2–Dec. 26, which included six losses, destroyed their championship hopes and City ultimately concluded 13 points behind victors Liverpool. The aspiration of an unparalleled "five-peat" had ended.
This campaign, while Arsenal seek to finally cross the finish line after three consecutive second-place results and secure their first championship in 22 years, City have rediscovered their rhythm and trail by merely two points. Guardiola's squad have triumphed in their previous six Premier League encounters—eight consecutive wins across all tournaments—and accumulated 33 points from the last 39 possible.
The margins are incredibly tight because, since City's 1–1 stalemate with Arsenal in September, the Gunners have surrendered just one additional point (seven) during the same timeframe.
Guardiola: 'We Lost Energy Last Season'
Guardiola refuses to accept any alternative reasoning for Manchester City's decline and revival: it begins and concludes with the squad's energy reserves.
"Energy, energy, energy," he stated this week. "Me first," he added, holding himself equally responsible for that deficiency.
"We lost it last season. We began training more effectively, competing with greater intensity [since then]. Beyond that we can discuss three at the back, four at the back, wingers or fullbacks—that is all bull----. We needed to restore our energy, and then you create a positive atmosphere."
His conviction is that when energy is lacking or absent, tactical considerations become completely meaningless.
"Something was shrouded in mist in Manchester, around our training facility," Pep elaborated. "We were missing something. It isn't simply switching [energy] on or off. Managers aren't miracle workers, snapping fingers and everything becomes clear. Sometimes you require patience. Victory helps accelerate this development."
Man City Resurgence a Joint Effort
Guardiola isn't claiming sole responsibility for Manchester City rediscovering their form and reliability this season. He highlighted that "numerous dinners" with everyone and "extensive discussions" were crucial, involving various individuals, including coaches Pep Lijnders and James French, personal advisor and trusted ally Manuel Estiarte along with current and former sporting directors Hugo Viana and Txiki Begiristain.
"We reflected and acknowledged something had shifted. Something [you can sense]," Guardiola hinted.
"It doesn't guarantee victory but means you can identify the team's character. Now it's eight straight wins [across all competitions]. It's challenging but we compete in our distinctive manner. We must continue improving, certainly, but this mentality is superior."