Pep Guardiola labels Manchester City’s recent struggles ‘normal’, remains optimistic of title challenge

Manchester City have been struggling in the Premier League for a month now and have failed to register a win in their last four matches. Fans would be worried as Man City have not been in such a form for a long time now, as they find themselves fourth in the table behind Arsenal, Liverpool and Aston Villa.

However, despite the recent form, City manager Pep Guardiola is optimistic that his team will turn the tables around and start registering wins in their bid to win a fourth consecutive league title. Guardiola has said that City’s recent set of results is ‘normal’, and the team will surely bounce back in no time.

Pep Guardiola assesses recent Manchester City struggles

Manchester City have not had a very good first half of the season, with injury woes and administrative allegations acting as dark clouds. However, Pep Guardiola has come out to say that there is nothing worrying about the results recently, and that it is very normal to have a rough patch.

Guardiola, in his press conference ahead of the Luton Town game, said that his team is like a ‘cat’ and that he needs a challenge. While throwing this weird analogy, Guardiola stated, “As a manager I sometimes need that – I need that challenge. For a long time we’ve lived like a cat and how good we are. We need to say: ‘Guys this business – it’s terrible’”. 

Guardiola also went on to draw parallels from last season and how City were ten points behind Arsenal at one point, and still managed to secure the league title. He assured that it is still early in the season, and City will be back in the title mix once they start getting the results their way.

However, the Man City boss accepted that the team needed to be “shaken” a bit and has acknowledged the wake-up call that the results have given them.

“One month ago I thought the club needed a shake, to be shaken. The bad results can help you to live that”, said Guardiola.

City’s poor run of form in PL

Since thumping Bournemouth over a month ago, Manchester City have failed to get all three points for four consecutive matches now. 

The citizens drew 4-4 with Chelsea in an epic encounter, drew 1-1 to Liverpool at home which ended City’s winning streak at the Etihad, drew 3-3 against Tottenham and lost 1-0 to Aston Villa, in a game where they were second best throughout.

Guardiola and City hope to turn it around as they face Luton Town away on Sunday, which many believe will be one of those typical Man City thrashings at the expense of the newly promoted side.

Do you think Manchester City can repeat the chase from last season and overtake Arsenal by the end of the season? Let us know in the comment section.