Pep Guardiola makes Rodri admission and aims dig at Man City players after Arsenal defeat
Man City boss Pep Guardiola has spoken out after his side's Premier League defeat to Arsenal
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Man City boss Pep Guardiola has reacted after his side were beaten 1-0 by Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
The treble winners went into the showdown in north London hoping to bounce back after their defeat to Wolves last weekend.
But that didn't happen, with City failing to win a third domestic match in a row.
Arsenal weren't at their swashbuckling best but picked up all three points late on through Gabriel Martinelli, with the winger's shot striking Nathan Ake before soaring into the net.
Man City were beaten by Arsenal at the Emirates with Gabriel Martinelli scoring a dramatic late winner
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Guardiola was asked about the absence of Rodri after the game.
The Spain international has missed all three of City's recent defeats to Arsenal, Wolves and Newcastle through suspension.
And while Guardiola wasn't keen to use Rodri's absence as an excuse, he did admit he felt the midfielder has been missed.
"That is a stat we cannot deny it," he said.
"But we put players to control more passes but they [Arsenal] are aggressive in these areas.
"We will come back and continue. We will move forward."
Guardiola also aimed a dig at his City players when asked what he made of their attacking performance.
"Not much," he said bluntly.
"I don't know how much they had shots on target. To have momentum, it was equal and then they won."
Guardiola was gracious in defeat, however, and insisted Arsenal deserved their victory.
"That game, we started really well with two or three chances," continued the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager.
"They started the second half really well with the rhythm.
"Then it was tight and they got a deflection goal. They won, congratulations to them.
"We tried. We did it. I think from both sides there was not a lot of chances.
"I think both teams did good high pressing. It was tight and in the end, one action, we lost the game.
"Ten minutes was like that [Arsenal on top] and after it was equal.
"We had also our moments but in general it was a tight game. Unfortunately, they did it."
And with City losing three matches in a row, Guardiola is relieved that the international break will now give everybody a chance to recharge their batteries.
"Yeah, of course, we can lose in Wolves as well. Now we have two defeats in a row and then we have the internationals," he stated.
"Hopefully they come back fit and then we go again.
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Man City looked toothless and Pep Guardiola was unhappy with their performance in Arsenal defeat
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"Maybe it is a little bit better to be there and see what we have to do to catch them and then [we will] when we come back.
"It has happened. In Wolves it was a difficult game.
"Congratulations to Arsenal. We know exactly what we have to do and we do it."
City will be out to make amends for their recent dip in form when they lock horns with Brighton at the Etihad Stadium on October 21.
Roberto De Zerbi's side won't be easy, however, and held Liverpool to a 2-2 draw earlier on Sunday afternoon.
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