Let's play the game and not the occasion, urges Pep | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola has urged City to play the game and not the occasion when the Blues lock horns with Premier League leaders Arsenal at the Etihad on Sunday.

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The meeting promises to be the most eagerly anticipated game of the Premier League season yet, pitting together as it does Mike Arteta’s league leaders and second-placed City.

Arsenal will step out holding a six-point lead at the top – but City have the advantage of a vital game in hand.

It’s a prospect that has captured global attention and interest.

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However, looking ahead to what promises to be a special occasion, the City boss stressed the key was keeping emotions in check and for his players to seek to continue to further improve on their collective performance.

“I said today to the players, it is just a football game and we have to approach it like a football game,” Pep declared addressing the media at Friday’s pre-match press conference.

“If you get distracted by emotions, that is how you lose focus.

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“What is the target? It is to perform well and that is exactly what you have got to do and all the aspects required to challenge a team like Arsenal.

“We need to get even better. The first half against Chelsea was not bad but not great. The first 30 minutes against Liverpool was not good either. The first 30 minutes against Arsenal in the final they were better.

“You cannot pretend that these kinds of teams will be 90/95 minutes perfect, but this one aspect is not about the future, present or past, it’s about confidence, which is an incredible aspect.

“If you could buy confidence in a supermarket we would buy it immediately. It is one of the most important aspects.

“The reality is, there are seven games left in the Premier League and that is the decisive moment.”

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City will go into the game on the back of a superb sequence of results in our last three outings.

Last weekend’s fine 3-0 league win at Chelsea was preceded by a dominant 4-0 FA Cup quarter-final win at home to Liverpool whist before that City overcame Arsenal 2-0 at Wembley in fine style to lift the Carabao Cup.

And with race for the title now intriguingly poised after the Gunners slipped up at home to Bournemouth last weekend, Guardiola said his players were primed for the next decisive few weeks starting with what promises to be a raucous, passionate Etihad on Sunday.

“It is good. We are ready. A month ago, because we dropped points in moments, I thought we would not be up,” Pep added.

“We saw the calendar and said OK, we play Arsenal at home and for a chance. It is six points.

“It is not a short distance, but we have a chance to do it. That is the situation we are in.

“It depends on our behaviour and everything will be said on Sunday.

“Our fans have sold out. Everything is perfect to play a game.”

Be at City’s FA Cup semi-final!

Pep Guardiola’s brilliant Blues are on the hunt for yet more silverware under Wembley’s famous arch.

We return to the national stadium on Saturday 25 April in a 17:15 (UK) kick-off for our FA Cup semi-final with Southampton.

And Members can be there with prices starting from £30 for adults and £20 for U18s and over 65s.

As we’ve seen with other recent Wembley visits, it’s an occasion not to be missed!

Get your tickets now!