Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has criticised himself for a "horrible" decision ahead of facing Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
His team will arrive at the City Ground as league leaders, having beaten Arsenal on Wednesday and taken them to the top of the table on goal difference, though the Gunners still have a game in hand. But despite that, Guardiola is not pleased with himself and will be looking to avoid a big mistake against Forest.
Despite being known as something of a tactical genius, Guardiola admitted he tried something new against Arsenal and, despite eventually picking up the three points, the plan backfired on his team and they suffered as a result.
READ MORE: Steve Cooper faces Nottingham Forest defender crisis amid double injury blow
READ MORE: Man City injury news ahead of Nottingham Forest clash as Pep Guardiola given huge Arsenal boost
When asked what frustrated him in the game against Arsenal, Guardiola replied: "My tactics. I decided something new and it was horrible. We suffered.
"There was only one team on the pitch after we scored our first goal and that was Arsenal. We couldn’t connect with a pass, we were just playing long balls, no-one was moving and no-one wanted the ball.
"We were soft and my plan was not good. We allowed them to play comfortably but in the second-half we were more aggressive and that’s when the quality of our players made the difference.
"This result is so important because we could have come here a few weeks ago eight or nine points behind them and if we lost it would be almost over.
"Because they have dropped some points it has given us the chance to get closer. But the reality is that I still consider Arsenal to be top of the league because they have played one game less than us."
How should Forest set up against a team like Man City? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
READ NEXT:
- 13 famous Nottingham Forest fans revealed: From a fashion icon to Game of Thrones
- Nottingham Forest rivals Southampton make Jesse Marsch decision
- Nottingham Forest loan star overcome with emotion after super-sub impact
- Paul Ince fired ‘Dagenham’ pep talk at Nottingham Forest man before last-gasp winner
- Fresh Lewis O'Brien transfer step taken to end Nottingham Forest limbo
