Pep Guardiola has called on Manchester City fans to “respect Arsenal” ahead of their Premier League title six-pointer at the Etihad Stadium next weekend.
The recommendation comes after a supporter’s celebration, which utilised an Arsenal-branded bottle, went viral following City’s third goal in their rampant win at Chelsea, which closed the gap at the top to six points.
The fan was seen sucking on the plastic lid as broadcast cameras panned to the away end, sending a not so subtle message to the league leaders who have finished second in the table for three consecutive years.
While not referencing the incident directly, Guardiola hailed Arsenal’s quality and said that fans must respect such an “extraordinary team” who they defied doubters to beat in last month’s Carabao Cup final.
He told Sky Sports: “The question of this week will be that we are playing next week against a team who in 49 games, lost three. In the Champions League games, they didn’t lose once. I know how difficult it is. They’ve won all the games except one, which they drew.
“Playing the Carabao Cup with Man City completely as underdogs – there was not one person in the country who bet £1 on us – that’s much better.
“Now it will be a bit different. Etihad at home, City is on top form, but the respect I have for Arsenal – what they’ve done in the last two or three years, because I know a little but the manager but the players and the quality.
“How they compete in every circumstances, that will be the biggest job that we have to work in our heads. This tactical issue, but maybe they will adjust something, maybe we adjust something.
“But they have been the best team in this country and Europe so far today.”
Guardiola continued: “Beating Arsenal once is so difficult, imagine beating them twice in a few weeks. So we have to rest, prepare and read exactly what we have to do.
“But I would like to say to my fans: respect Arsenal a lot. They’re an extraordinary team. They are. It’s not naive, it’s not to make them feel something that they are not.
“But at the same time: come join us and support us minute one. The players will do the maximum.”
