Pepped up and primed to pounce

Guardiola says City ready to challenge Chelsea

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola (right) directs his team while Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger cuts a concerned figure during the English Premier League match at Etihad Stadium in Manchester on Sunday. City beat the Gunners 2-1. Carl Recine / Reuters

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said his side will be ready to capitalize if Premier League pacesetter Chelsea falters following its 2-1 comeback victory over title rival Arsenal.

Chelsea has streaked clear at the summit thanks to a run of 11 consecutive victories.

City trails Antonio Conte's team by seven points, having climbed to second place by coming from behind to beat Arsenal at Etihad Stadium on Sunday, and Guardiola said the leader is in its sights.

Asked if the win, secured by second-half goals from Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling, would give City a psychological boost, Guardiola nodded and replied: "A lot."

"Seven points is a huge distance and when a team can make 11 victories in a row, you just can say congratulations," the manager said.

"But at least to be there as much as possible, and waiting if the opponent fails sometimes, and waiting until the last part of the season to be there, to fight for the title."

Since Guardiola's arrival in England, following stellar spells at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, there has been huge interest in whether his passing principles will prevail in the more physical Premier League.

The City boss triggered his team's comeback by moving Kevin De Bruyne up front at halftime and switching Sterling to the right flank, but he played down the significance of the decision.

"Because we won, now the trainer is a genius!" said Guardiola, who faced criticism following recent losses to Chelsea and Leicester City.

Guardiola said he had apologized to John Stones after benching the centerback, a $59.3 million recruit from Everton, for the second straight game. But he praised Yaya Toure, who has become an increasingly vital cog in City's midfield despite Guardiola initially freezing him out.

Asked if Toure's form might earn the 33-year-old an extension to his contract, which expires at the end of the season, Guardiola replied: "No answer to that question.