Manchester City aims to lead the Premier League, with coach Pep Guardiola emphasizing his team's desire to set the pace rather than pursue rivals. Ahead of Man City's upcoming match against Nottingham Forest, Guardiola sent a clear message to title contenders, particularly Arsenal, underscoring his squad's ambition.

In round 17, Man City briefly topped the table after a dominant 3-0 victory over West Ham. However, Arsenal quickly reclaimed the top spot with a narrow win against Everton. Man City now has another opportunity to move ahead on Saturday, when they face Nottingham Forest in the earliest fixture of the day.

"The best position is to lead, but we are not there yet", Guardiola stated during a press conference on the afternoon of 26/12. "I would prefer to be 10 points ahead of every team, but that is the reality. Arsenal is playing well, and we are not too far behind them."

Despite the focus on the league standings, the Spanish coach stressed that his priority remains on the outcome of each individual match, rather than constantly monitoring the table. He explained, "I prefer to lead than to chase, but what is important is each game, step by step. We are on the right track, and everything will be decided by the results on the pitch."

Coach Pep Guardiola celebrates after Man City's 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, London, England on 14/12. Photo: AP

Prior to the Christmas holiday, Guardiola had cautioned his players about the risk of weight gain from overeating. This warning was not a joke. The Spanish coach revealed that he conducted weight checks and excluded any players who showed significant weight increases before the team's trip to Nottingham Forest.

"I might gain a few kilos over Christmas, but the players remain incredibly disciplined", the 54-year-old coach remarked. "Everyone knows what they need to do, and the club's standards have been established for a long time. This is not an exception; it has been our norm for the past 10 years."

Guardiola further praised the entire team for their marked improvement in form since the beginning of the season, having secured 7 recent wins and currently competing across all 4 competitions. "I know the players' strengths and weaknesses because I work with them every day", he said. "Every piece of advice, every comment is aimed at helping them get better. Rayan Cherki has incredible talent; the sky is the limit for him. How far he wants to go depends on himself, but the potential is immense."

Regarding squad availability, Guardiola confirmed that Rodri is expected to return after recovering from a hamstring injury. However, John Stones (thigh) and Jeremy Doku (calf) are still unavailable. "Some important players are close to returning, so we can take it one step at a time and see what happens", he stated, leaving open the possibility of strengthening the squad during the mid-season transfer window.

Man City is reportedly interested in Antoine Semenyo, a winger with an $87 million USD release clause at Bournemouth. Should this transfer materialize, the Etihad Stadium club might part ways with Oscar Bobb and Savinho.

Hong Duy (via ESPN, Mancity.com)