EPL: It’s okay if Arsenal are stronger than City – Guardiola opens up on Jesus, Sterling, Zinchenko

By Adeleye Kunle

Manchester City boss, Pep Guardiola, has said that it was Raheem Sterling, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus who decided on their own to leave Etihad for Arsenal and Chelsea, respectively.

The Spaniard maintained he could not stop the players from choosing the very club they wanted to play for or force them to stay.

Guardiola believes the players deserve to choose where they want to play.

He said this while responding to the questions on Manchester City making their Premier League rivals such as Arsenal stronger by allowing Jesus and Zinchenko to move to the Emirates.

Those players, especially Jesus, have helped Mikel Arteta’s side stay top of the Premier League table above City.

“Every player is different. I think for a point of view the guys gave us what they gave us, like [Sterling, Zinchenko and Jesus],” the former Barcelona manager said

“What they gave us, they deserve to choose where they want to play. If they don’t want to go to Arsenal or Chelsea they would stay here. But if they stay here, why do we have to say you cannot be there?

“Who are we to say to their family you cannot go there? I don’t like it.

“If Arsenal are stronger it’s okay, they arrive in agreement with the club, transfer with the club.