Sundayâs crucial 2-1 win over the Gunners means the Blues can go above the North London side with victory at Burnley on Wednesday evening.
But anything less than six wins from six and the boss believes our chance will be gone.
Asked about the possibility of ending Arsenalâs long stay at the Premier League summit â one that stretches back more than 200 days â Pep said: â[200 days] - that shows how good they have been, how consistent they have been.
â[This is ] a game to try to be the same points as them.
âAs we have with Arsenal and Liverpool in the past, both teams know we cannot drop points or lose, because it will be difficult to recover.
âThe calendar is so demanding. Itâs really tough.â
PEP GUARDIOLA: THE DECAdE COLLECTION
The boss was also asked whether leading the Premier League or hunting down the leaders brought pressure or freedom?
He replied: âNo. More difficult, especially physically with what happened after Arsenal.
âWe go to Burnley and have to perform to the level that we have to do. We go to win the game because itâs what we need.â
Guardiola also says the pairing of Bernardo and Rodri â the latter set to miss the trip to Turf Moor with a groin issue â has been integral to Cityâs excellent form over the past month.
Both players have won many titles with the Blues, but their ability to dictate and control games, particularly in the past month, has been crucial.
âThe last games have been really important - both have experience, personality and are players that can make a lateral drive, left, right.
âWith the next action, they are composed with and without the ball.
âThe physicality and many things. They are not young guys anymore, they are experienced in these types of games and know how they must be played.
âThey were exceptional, but not just these [recent] games. We cannot forget it has been 16 months without Rodri. Success depends on the players you have.
âIf you donât have injuries or not in the right spot, always you can compete.
âThatâs why I am pleased with how we do without Rodri.
âLast season was not perfect, but we got to the FA Cup final and finished third.
âEverything was more consistent this year. We had an incredible player in Mateo Kovacic who has been one year out and Nico Gonzalez helped us a lot in the absence of Rodri to be where we are now.â
But anything less than six wins from six and the boss believes our chance will be gone.
Asked about the possibility of ending Arsenalâs long stay at the Premier League summit â one that stretches back more than 200 days â Pep said: â[200 days] - that shows how good they have been, how consistent they have been.
â[This is ] a game to try to be the same points as them.
âAs we have with Arsenal and Liverpool in the past, both teams know we cannot drop points or lose, because it will be difficult to recover.
âThe calendar is so demanding. Itâs really tough.â
PEP GUARDIOLA: THE DECAdE COLLECTION
The boss was also asked whether leading the Premier League or hunting down the leaders brought pressure or freedom?
He replied: âNo. More difficult, especially physically with what happened after Arsenal.
âWe go to Burnley and have to perform to the level that we have to do. We go to win the game because itâs what we need.â
Guardiola also says the pairing of Bernardo and Rodri â the latter set to miss the trip to Turf Moor with a groin issue â has been integral to Cityâs excellent form over the past month.
Both players have won many titles with the Blues, but their ability to dictate and control games, particularly in the past month, has been crucial.
âThe last games have been really important - both have experience, personality and are players that can make a lateral drive, left, right.
âWith the next action, they are composed with and without the ball.
âThe physicality and many things. They are not young guys anymore, they are experienced in these types of games and know how they must be played.
âThey were exceptional, but not just these [recent] games. We cannot forget it has been 16 months without Rodri. Success depends on the players you have.
âIf you donât have injuries or not in the right spot, always you can compete.
âThatâs why I am pleased with how we do without Rodri.
âLast season was not perfect, but we got to the FA Cup final and finished third.
âEverything was more consistent this year. We had an incredible player in Mateo Kovacic who has been one year out and Nico Gonzalez helped us a lot in the absence of Rodri to be where we are now.â
