My ego is to blame, says playful Pep

Pep Guardiola impishly suggested his “ego” was responsible for a confrontation with Jack Grealish following Manchester City’s goalless draw against Arsenal at the weekend.

City drawing a blank at home against one of their Premier League title rivals on Sunday left them a point behind Arsenal and three adrift of leaders Liverpool with nine games of the season remaining.

At the full-time whistle, Guardiola was filmed in an animated discussion in the middle of the pitch with Grealish, who was brought on just after the hour mark in a fruitless bid to break the deadlock.

While Guardiola patted Grealish on the head before walking away, the episode has drawn plenty of scrutiny, which the Spaniard playfully took aim at ahead of City’s clash with Aston Villa this evening.

“I do it for the cameras, for my ego,” the City manager said. “I’m the famous person of the team. If it’s on camera, then I can sleep because I have incredible satisfaction.

“I always try to criticise the players there and let them know how bad they are.

“When Erling (Haaland) scores three goals, the compliments have to be with me, not with them, that’s why I use the cameras to do it. My advice next time is; don’t film us and it will not be a problem.”

The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss was more serious when addressing the title picture.

After labelling Liverpool as favourites to end City’s streak of three-successive league crowns on Sunday, Guardiola accepted his side were running out of opportunities to reel in and overhaul their rivals.

They overturned an eight-point deficit last season to beat Arsenal to the top-flight title – en route to a historic treble – but Guardiola insisted City’s experience would count for little in this run-in.

“It’s just winning games, that’s what we have to do,” he said.

“We have not many chances to drop points but there are still nine games.

“Our experience is over, it doesn’t count. What counts is Aston Villa, before it was Arsenal. When we were able to win lots of games in a row, it’s not thinking how many we would be able to.

“The only thing is to now prepare well for Aston Villa.”

Villa were the last team to beat City, in the reverse fixture in the Midlands in early December, and Unai Emery’s side are targeting a top-four finish.

Guardiola, who confirmed Nathan Ake would join fellow defender Kyle Walker and goalkeeper Ederson on the treatment table after going off injured against the Gunners, is not overlooking Villa’s threat.

“Aston Villa are playing to qualify for the Champions League and every team is playing for something, so the last games will be difficult to manage for all of us,” added Guardiola, who could welcome John Stones back tonight.

“It’s excellent, the way they play. Unai Emery has consistency in every season. Villa have been impressive.

“It’s not a surprise, the quality of him, his management and the quality of the team.”

Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta accepts Arsenal may have to win each of their nine remaining league fixtures to be crowned champions as he prepares for the “most beautiful part of the season”.

The second-placed Gunners sit two points behind Liverpool ahead of a hectic April schedule.

Manager Arteta, who also has a two-legged

Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich to consider, wants his players to embrace the challenge, beginning tonight at home to relegation-threatened Luton.

“It’s going to have to be really close to that,” he replied when asked if Arsenal need a 100% record from now on to finish top of the table.

“When you see the level and the consistency of the other teams and historically what is needed to win in this league, it’s not going to be very far from that.

“This is where we want to be and now we want to take this opportunity and make it happen.

“We worked every single day with that enthusiasm and passion to make it happen and enjoying the moment as well.

“I see the team really flowing and they are really excited about playing each game and that has to drive them on this journey to the end.

“I am full of energy and it’s the most beautiful part of the season.”

Arsenal’s midweek meeting with Rob Edwards’ 18th-placed Hatters is the first of eight matches this month, including the two clashes with Bayern.

CHAT: Pep Guardiola appeared to clash with Jack Grealish at full-time after his side had drawn a blank with title rivals Arsenal – led by manager Mikel Arteta, below.