Pep’s Treble yell GUARDIOLA AIMS TO MATCH FERGIE FEAT
BRAZIL ACE IS UP FER MORE
PEP GUARDIOLA will go gung-ho against the Gunners today – with one eye on an “exceptional” target.
Champions League. I think that is the first real good step.
“We are there. Tottenham are there. United are nearly there.
“Liverpool will be there and Chelsea – okay, their last two results were not good but I think they will be there.
“That’s good. That is the best news when comparing to previous years for English football.
“And afterwards we will see but if there are five teams there, then there is more chance to win the Champions League and maybe doubles and Trebles.
“But the Treble is an exceptional situation.”
Guardiola was not going to be let off the hook and was further quizzed about the intensity of the Premier League and whether it was a barrier to English teams winning the big one.
He said: “No, I don’t believe in that. I believe that when you play better you win the games. It’s not the intensity.”
There is no denying that City under the Spaniard are flying on the domestic front, too, and the City boss cannot hide his delight at the unbeaten start, with 35 goals hitting the back of their opponents’ nets.
Guardiola said: “We have done really good but there are a lot of things to come.
“Of course, it is better being in that position because a win helps you to win more. Our confidence is good.
“Now I am excited to prove myself and prove ourselves against one of the best and win the game.
“United are playing Chelsea so we want to gain an advantage on one of them.
“Even more reason to focus on an important game and leave Arsenal 12 points behind us.
“It is a massive game for us in many, many circumstances, starting with the way we want to play and then win the game.
“If people say we can carry on playing this way then there is a big chance to be champions. But no one can tell me for sure.
“No one knows what is going to happen. Even the manager who works every day with the players.
“Chelsea are the champions. If you want to get it you have to fight – in January, February, March, April and May.
“That is all you can do.” FERNANDINHO has agreed terms on a new 12-month contract and Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has saluted his Samba superstar.
The Brazil midfielder’s current deal runs out next summer and now Fernandinho,
32 (left) is ready to put pen to paper on extending his £100,000-a-week stay at The Etihad.
And that is great news for Guardiola and City’s faithful as Fernandinho looks to drive the club to major honours this season.
Fernandinho signed for City back in June 2013 for £34million after reportedly waiving around
£4m owed to him by Shakhtar Donetsk in order to push the transfer through.
And he has never looked back. Guardiola said: “Right now he is one of the best three holding midfield players. “Fernandinho’s achievement is at another level.
“With his mentality he gives us a lot. Both with the ball and without the ball.
“Last season we cannot forget that he played at full-back for us many times without any complaints.
“He just asked how he has done, how he can improve.
“When you have a lot of players in one squad with this mentality you can dream to win games.
“All the managers know the value of this kind of player.”