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)."



Osaka Wins her 1st Match of New Season in Return from Injury

Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka. AP
Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka. AP
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Osaka Wins her 1st Match of New Season in Return from Injury

Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka. AP
Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka. AP

Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka made a winning return to the court after an almost three-month absence Monday in the first round of the ASB tennis classic in Auckland, undeterred by protests outside the stadium against her Israeli opponent.

Osaka beat qualifier Lina Glushko 6-4, 6-4 in a tight contest in her first match since October when a back injury at the China Open ended her 2024 season.

All the hallmarks of Osaka's game were present Monday: the powerful serve, forceful ground-strokes particularly from the forehand side and the aggression. She looked relaxed and comfortable on court with no sign of her recent injury.

Osaka had to deal with a swirling wind on center court and with delays in play caused by the chants of a small group of protesters which were clearly audible within the stadium. There was a longer break as Osaka was poised to serve out the first set when Glushko had to leave the court for treatment to a hip injury.

"I had no idea what the score was most of the time," The Associated Press quoted Osaka as saying. "I just kept trying to tell myself one point at a time and trying not to get discouraged.

"Thankfully it came out in my favor in the end."

Osaka was supported at courtside by her new coach Patrick Mouratoglou who previously had a long-term association with Serena Williams.

She broke Glushko in the third game of the first set and held comfortably to win 6-4.

The second set was tighter. Osaka broke Glushko in the third game but Glushko converted her only break point of the match to level at 2-2.

Glushko held to love in the seventh game to lead 4-3 but Osaka seemed to step up at that point, held with two aces for 4-4, broke for 5-4 and held serve to love to clinch the win.

Her serve was solid throughout. She sent down seven aces and won 74 percent of first serve points. Her first serve averaged around 180kmh (111mph) and her slice around 140kmh (87mph).

"I think she's a really amazing opponent. I've never played her before," Osaka said. "It was good to have to scrap a little for the first round."