Pep Guardiola issues one-word response on Premier League title race | OneFootball

Manchester City have a very clear focus when it comes to the Premier League title race, exemplified by Pep Guardiola’s one-word response on the subject this week.

The City manager was addressing the media ahead of Wednesday night’s Premier League meeting with Brighton & Hove Albion at the Etihad Stadium, as his side look to respond to the frustration of a late 1-1 draw against Chelsea at the weekend.

That result left Manchester City having surrendered further ground at the top of the table, extending a run of dropped points that has kept pressure firmly on Pep Guardiola’s squad in the New Year.

Complicating matters further has been a mounting injury list, particularly in defence with City already without John Stones long-term, and Josko Gvardiol now facing months on the sidelines following a tibial fracture, and Ruben Dias sustaining a hamstring injury against Chelsea that rules him out for between four and six weeks.

Despite those setbacks, manager Pep Guardiola has repeatedly referenced the mentality within the squad, drawing parallels with last season’s ability to navigate adversity, and City have already taken practical steps to address the defensive shortfall by recalling Max Alleyne from his Championship loan at Watford, while interest in Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi continues.

Speaking to reporters ahead of City’s Premier League clash on Wednesday, Guardiola was quizzed for his thoughts on Arsenal as the title race intensifies.

“So strong. In the last two or three seasons they are so strong, and they are stronger and stronger. They are,” Guardiola admitted.

The Manchester City coach was further quizzed on the feeling around the season given recent injury blows in defence, although the 54-year-old insisted that it is “different”, pointing towards the “spirit” of his team.

And on the subject of the Premier League title race, the Catalan head coach cut short the question, responding, “Brighton.”

Pep Guardiola’s blunt response underlined his long-standing refusal to be drawn into wider narratives, instead choosing to emphasise the immediate challenge ahead.

Fabian Hurzeler’s Brighton arrive in Manchester with a reputation for tactical flexibility and technical quality – a profile Guardiola has frequently described as problematic for even the strongest sides.

Looking ahead, Manchester City’s immediate priority will be to stabilise results and manage workloads amid a congested fixture list, with careful handling of returning players such as Rodri and Jeremy Doku also high on the agenda.

Any further dropped points could significantly reshape the Premier League title race picture, but for Guardiola, the message remains consistent in that focus must simply remain on the next opponent.