Pep apologizes to Gerrard: “I’m ashamed of myself”

Pep Guardiola, manager of Manchester City, Tuesday’s press conference ahead of Wednesday’s game against Arsenal was used to apologize to Steven Gerrard for the ‘citizen’ coach’s comments about the former Liverpool midfielder ahead of the match against Aston Villa.

Guardiola was referring to his comments joking about Gerrard’s slip against Chelsea which cost Liverpool the Premiership, 2013-14. “I don’t know if we are responsible for Steven Gerrard’s slip in 2014,” the Catalan coach confirmed whether the Premier’s probe against City could damage the club’s titles.

Pep, ashamed of himself Gerrard

“They were stupid comments. You know how much I admire him, his career, what he’s done for this country, where I’m living and working. I’m ashamed of myself. He doesn’t deserve it. I was defending my club but I did not represent him well”.

About Haaland

“We trained this afternoon. Yesterday (Monday) was a recovery day. That’s all.”

The best Arsenal Pep has ever seen

“We saw it in the FA Cup. They are the best team in the league at the moment. The best Arsenal I have faced since I came to England. They are focused, sharp and everything. It will be a great, great battle. We have to be ready.”

On whether it would be an advantage that he and Arteta worked together

“I would say yes if there were only two games, but there are still a lot of games to play.”

The psychological significance of the match

“Of course he has, if we win we have scored against the best team in the league. But then we face Nottingham Forest and the Champions League is coming. Many things can happen. The goal is here in the last ten games. Tomorrow (Wednesday against Arsenal) it will help us to be there (if we win).

The VAR controversy

“I know there’s a lot of talk about it but I don’t know.”