"Now the real season starts" - Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola sends message to PL rivals ahead of Newcastle United clash

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has sent a warning to Arsenal and other Premier League title rivals ahead of their Newcastle United clash. The Spaniard has claimed that the 'real season' starts now and that they will go all out for the title.

Speaking to the media, Guardiola heaped praise on Arsenal, saying they are a strong team that are unlikely to drop points. He believes that they will do well like Liverpool last season, but they will take advantage of any slip-up and said (via Metro):

"The truth is a team as strong as Arsenal is in the last seasons, not just this season, so impeccable in so many, many things, that feeling that I had in the past when we've fought incredibly against Liverpool, I had the feeling they would not drop many points. And if they can take a lot of distance, it will be difficult to catch up with them, similar like Liverpool last season. We've had moments and experience in our careers, we take advantage of nine, ten, twelve points, you play those games more easier, nothing will happen if you drop points and the others from behind have to put on incredible pressure and that's why when the distance is big it's more difficult."

"But at the same time, we are in November, in November, in this league, nothing is defined. What happens in February and March, be careful, but now it's the start of the season really, right? There's two parts of the season, when the transfer window is over in the summer and after the international break is over, now the international break is done, so now we will be until March, see each other every three days. Now the real season starts. It's important to be there and arrive at the end of the season with the feeling we can fight."

Manchester City face Newcastle United in the Premier League this weekend, with Arsenal taking on Tottenham. A win for the Cityzens and a loss for the Gunners would see the gap reduced to one point.

Arsenal leading Premier League title race against Manchester City

Arsenal are on top of the Premier League table, with 26 points from their opening 11 matches of the season. They are currently four points clear of Manchester City, who have picked up 22 points.

The Gunners were on a stunning run with four clean sheets in five wins before Sunderland ended the run with a 2-2 draw before the international break. Mikel Arteta's side suffered a massive blow earlier this week, after Gabriel was ruled out for weeks after picking up an abductor injury during Brazil's game against Senegal

Manchester City defeated Liverpool 3-0 before the break and managed to close the gap to four points.