Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola spoke to the media as his side prepares to face Nottingham Forest on Wednesday, with City looking to close the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal.

City trail Arsenal by five points but enter the Forest game on the back of a six-game winning streak in all competitions. A victory is crucial for Guardiola’s title ambitions, as any slip-up could allow Arsenal to extend their lead if they pick up a result against Brighton later this week.

Haaland’s Availability

Guardiola addressed questions about Erling Haaland, whose fitness has been a major talking point ahead of the clash—especially for fantasy football managers.

“He feels much better, but yesterday he didn’t train. Today, we will assess him after training and decide,” Guardiola said.

“We will do the same for Nico (O’Reilly) after the session.”

Set-Piece Adaptation

Arsenal have been particularly effective from set pieces this season, exploiting corners to secure wins. Liverpool manager Arne Slot recently admitted that while he doesn’t enjoy watching corner goals, they remain a vital weapon in the Premier League.

Guardiola agreed, emphasizing the need for teams to adapt.

“Set-pieces have started to be important. It was different when I started as a manager,” he said.
“When I was a young boy, we said the people in England celebrate corners and free-kicks like a goal. Nothing has changed in that way. Arsenal dictate how they do it, and it is an important aspect of the game.”

“You can sit and complain, but you have to adapt. It’s part of the game, especially in the Premier League. Every country has its own style, and every club has specific ways they play. I understand completely why (Arne Slot’s comments) and in some ways I agree.”

City’s Form

Since their Champions League loss to Bayer Leverkusen in November, Manchester City have remained unbeaten at the Etihad in 13 matches. Guardiola will be aiming for another three points against a Nottingham Forest side struggling near the relegation zone.