Guardiola backing City to rise to the challenges ahead

PEP GUARDIOLA believes his Manchester City players are ready for the challenge as they enter a crucial week in the title race.

The champions face crunch Premier League clashes with Arsenal, Everton and Chelsea in the next eight days.

City go into the period, which begins with the Gunners’ visit to the Etihad today, trailing leaders Liverpool by five points.

Firstly, they will need to shake off the lethargy which saw them beaten at relegation-threatened Newcastle in midweek, although Guardiola anticipates a response.

He said: ‘The situation we have this week is the same as we had in the last two or three months. It’s not new. It’s a challenge.

‘The only way I know after a negative result is to focus on the play and (have) the mentality to say: “Okay, we’re in February, there are lots of points to play for and many things will happen”.

‘We have to increase the way we play in terms of the many details we didn’t do quite well. The players know that. It’s not new.’

City were poor at Newcastle but, as they remain in contention for four trophies, Guardiola insists there is nothing wrong with the players’ motivation.

He added: ‘We are not happy about the last performance. We knew that immediately at half-time and after the game.

‘But without the motivation, we wouldn’t be where we are in all the competitions —- another cup final, Champions League last 16 and the league being there. It would not be possible without motivation.

‘There are ups and downs in the season. Sometimes the players cannot sustain it for 11 months at the top level when the opponents are well prepared and they want to beat us.

‘The results this week show it’s difficult for all the teams in the top six to win their games. But that’s the challenge.’

City will assess left-back Benjamin Mendy ahead of the game. The France international, who recently returned following a two-month lay-off, has missed the last two games as his comeback following knee surgery is managed carefully.