Arsenal Are Best Team in the League, Says Guardiola

Football - Premier League - Manchester City v Aston Villa - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - February 12, 2023 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Manchester City v Aston Villa - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - February 12, 2023 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. (Reuters)
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Arsenal Are Best Team in the League, Says Guardiola

Football - Premier League - Manchester City v Aston Villa - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - February 12, 2023 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Manchester City v Aston Villa - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - February 12, 2023 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. (Reuters)

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said that Arsenal are the best team in the Premier League as he prepares his side for their trip to the Emirates in Wednesday's top-of-the-table clash.

City, second in the standings and three points behind leaders Arsenal with one more game played, will be hoping to close in on the top spot after they recovered from their recent slump to stroll past Aston Villa with a 3-1 victory on Sunday.

Title holders City will find inspiration from last month's FA Cup victory over the London club, which they won 1-0 at home.

"So far, they are the best team in the Premier League," Guardiola told a news conference on Tuesday.

"We felt it a couple of weeks ago (in the FA Cup). The commitment, they are sharp. It will be a big, big battle. You have to be ready.

"I do not truly believe one week ago we are out of form and now we're back in form. Every game is different, you can play good and win and everything is perfect but tomorrow you could lose. Tomorrow is an important one, everyone knows it, and we'll try to do our best."

Guardiola also rejected claims that Sunday's win has provided his side with a renewed spirit, highlighting how the togetherness in his team is not swayed by results.

The Spaniard added: "After (the) Arsenal (victory) there was this togetherness, they are incredible human beings. I have no complaints. Everyone makes mistakes, me first.

"The mood is good, really, really good for many years. Many things happen, (such as) success, (but) sometimes little things must be adjusted to understand things differently.

"We are delighted to be together not because we win against Villa or lose against Spurs (Tottenham Hotspur)."



Gauff Building Momentum in Rome with French Open Looming 

USA's Coco Gauff reacts during her match against British Emma Raducanu at the WTA Rome Open tennis tournament at Foro Italico in Rome on May 12, 2025. (AFP)
USA's Coco Gauff reacts during her match against British Emma Raducanu at the WTA Rome Open tennis tournament at Foro Italico in Rome on May 12, 2025. (AFP)
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Gauff Building Momentum in Rome with French Open Looming 

USA's Coco Gauff reacts during her match against British Emma Raducanu at the WTA Rome Open tennis tournament at Foro Italico in Rome on May 12, 2025. (AFP)
USA's Coco Gauff reacts during her match against British Emma Raducanu at the WTA Rome Open tennis tournament at Foro Italico in Rome on May 12, 2025. (AFP)

Coco Gauff became the youngest player to reach four WTA 1000 quarter-finals on clay with a 6-1 6-2 over Emma Raducanu in Rome on Monday and the American said she is growing more comfortable on the surface with the French Open just around the corner.

The world number three has won eight out of her last nine matches on outdoor red clay, losing only to world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the Madrid Open final.

At 21 she is the youngest player to reach the quarters at four of the WTA 1000 tournaments since the elite events were introduced in 2009.

The 2023 US Open champion said she was pleased with the way her forehand was working against Raducanu.

"Especially on this surface, I think I can do a lot with it," she added.

"I’m getting used to it (clay) with each match. I feel really happy with how I played. I think I really was the one dictating the match for the most part."

Gauff said she was also working on her footwork in the last two weeks while preparing for the French Open, where she reached the final in 2022 before losing to Iga Swiatek, who also beat her in the semi-finals last year.

Gauff next faces world number seven Mirra Andreeva in the Italian Open quarters on Wednesday.