Pep Guardiola explains why he's 'so optimistic' about Manchester City beating Arsenal

Pep Guardiola has openly stated that he would only aim for a goalless draw if his team were in a bad position, and that his Manchester City side kill games because they are destined to win.

As Arsenal prepare to challenge their title ambitions at the stadium that has seen four consecutive Premier League victories, Guardiola is bracing for another tough battle.

Last season, Mikel Arteta's side thought they had taken the lead when they barely left their own half at the Etihad in late March and returned to London with a point, still ahead of City in the standings. However, nine consecutive wins have propelled Guardiola's side to the top.

Despite Guardiola's insistence on being a pragmatist, it seems his interpretation of the term implies aggressive rather than defensive tactics. When asked what the ideal pragmatic performance was, the City boss said: “For 95 minutes the opponent has to defend in their box. That's what I want. You know why? Because the ball is far, far, far away from our goalkeeper.”

“When the ball is closer to my goal, I tremble. So I prefer the ball to be up there (far from the goal). For me, that's what being pragmatic is. Pragmatic? We are the best team in the world by being pragmatic. Look at the results.

“People say we have a lot of passing, good construction… We have won a lot. So what does pragmatic mean? It has to do with results, doesn’t it? Not with the beauty of football. We think the way we play means we are incredibly pragmatic. The best, I would say. I’m sorry, it’s the truth.”

“If you play badly, a 0-0 is a good result. When the opponent is better, it's a good result,” Guardiola said, reflecting on recent goalless draws in the Champions League for City and Arsenal.

Guardiola also commented: “Mikel knows I'm not going to play for zero-zero and I know he's not going to play for zero-zero. But sometimes they defend deep because you're better and sometimes they create a lot of chances because they're better. You accept it. It's a good way for a team and a club to grow. Sometimes it's the sun, sometimes it's raining.”

“But I have said many times that I would accept to sit back for a long, long, long time and then just make a transition to score a goal. I swear to God I would do it. I would do it because I desperately want to win. So I can talk about pragmatism. There is no more pragmatic manager than me, I am sorry. We have won more times being like that, so why should I change? It is difficult for me to change because the results are there.”

Guardiola has nevertheless issued a warning to all teams, from Anfield to the Emirates Stadium. Having seen his team open their title defence with four straight wins, he is certain his players have the will to win a fifth successive title.

Guardiola concluded: “The opponents know that we are always there. I like our way of running and our pressing.”

“I keep watching our team and they keep surprising me. I'm amazed how, after so many years, they continue to do what they do every minute of every game.”

“That's why I'm so optimistic. I'm very happy with what I see.”

“Sometimes, in the press conference after the match, you get caught up in the emotions. Sometimes I make an analysis of the match and sometimes I make a mistake.”

“I don't have that feeling at those times – and I don't have that feeling right now.”