Guardiola urges supporters to energise City’s European heroes

PEP GUARDIOLA has called on supporters to help re-energise his Manchester City side as they take on Arsenal this afternoon.

The City boss expects the Premier League leaders to be a little weary after Wednesday’s exhilarating Champions League win away at Napoli.

City beat the Serie A pacesetters 4-2 in a compelling clash but they had little time to enjoy it before travelling home to begin preparations for the Gunners’ visit to the Etihad Stadium.

‘We need our fans’ support,’ Guardiola said. ‘After the Champions League it is so tough. On Thursday (in the Europa League) Arsenal played without the real squad who are going to play on Sunday, so they rested for one week.

‘The lack of energy we will have is normal after the Champions League, so our supporters can help us in that.’

City have not been beaten in 22 competitive fixtures since being edged out by Arsenal in extra-time of last season’s FA Cup semi-final.

Their current run of 14 successive wins is a new club record but extending the sequence is not what motivates Guardiola.

‘Records are always a consequence of winning games and making good achievements,’ the City boss added. ‘The main thing is to win the next one.’

Another notable City record which fell this week was their greatest goalscorer mark. Sergio Aguero’s strike in Naples was his 178th for the club, eclipsing the 78-year-old record of Eric Brook.

City plan to commemorate Aguero’s achievement with some form of presentation before the game. It will then be straight back to business for the 29-year-old.