Pep Guardiola feels that 'everyone wants Manchester City to disappear off the earth' as the reigning champions face the 115 Premier League charges. City have denied all allegations, and the hearing before an independent commission commenced last Monday in London. City are set to host Arsenal in Sunday's Premier League clash, but rather than addressing whether Guardiola has ever instructed a team to play for a goalless draw, he chose to discuss the ongoing legal case. The club maintains their innocence and claims to possess a 'comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence' to support their position.
'I am sorry to say I always want to defend my club – especially in these modern days,' he stated. 'It's like everyone doesn't expect us to be not just relegated, they want us to disappear off the face of the earth.' 'I would say we have had many better days than our opponents – and that's why we win a lot. It's not complicated.' City began the weekend as Premier League leaders, having secured a maximum 12 points from their opening four games, with Arsenal trailing in second place, two points behind.
Guardiola is cautious of the threat posed by last season's runners-up and aims to stifle their play. 'If you let Arsenal play, if you accept that, they build up, you allow time to come with [Jurriën] Timber or Alex [Oleksandr Zinchenko] or whatever the player there, to make a structure in the middle, how they move good in the pockets,' he explained. Guardiola is also aware of the other threats Arsenal presents. 'If you are pressing [then it is] long balls, they win the second balls. In the final third they have the ability to play 1,000 million passes and find the pockets and find the right space. If they can run, they can run. [Gabriel] Martinelli, [Bukayo] Saka, [Martin] Ødegaard and whatever,' said Guardiola, though Ødegaard is sidelined with a long-term injury.
'They are a top team because all the departments that a team needs to be solid, they do it. They are good at that. But we are good, too.'
