Pep spurred on by thrill of the chase

CITY BOSS RELISHING RACE FOR THE SUMMIT

- Gideon Brooks

PEP GUARDIOLA has taken responsibility for Manchester City’s midseason slump and the challenge of putting them back on top.

City trail Arsenal by eight points and host Tottenham tonight off the back of consecutive defeats in the Carabao Cup and Premier League.

But Guardiola insists their dip – taking seven of the past 15 league points on offer – is not down to the players but his failure to get the tactics right.

“Sometimes I didn’t choose properly the players or maybe the way we defend, and this is the only concern,” he said

“But when I said there is a challenge I like it, because it makes me feel I have to come back and find something to help the team get better.