Pep Guardiola Agrees with Mikel Arteta, Says Man City Has Won a Trophy Already

Pep Guardiola Agrees with Mikel Arteta, Says Man City Has Won a Trophy Already

 

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has echoed the sentiments of his counterpart Mikel Arteta, insisting that the Community Shield is a legitimate trophy, according to Pulse Sport.

 

Guardiola’s comments, made in an interview with BBC Sport, came in response to suggestions that Manchester City are at risk of going trophyless this season, despite their victory in the Community Shield back in August.

 

 

 

According to Guardiola, the Community Shield win over Manchester United should be recognized as a tangible achievement, rather than dismissed as a minor honor. This perspective aligns with Arteta’s previous assertion that his two Community Shield titles with Arsenal should be counted among his managerial accolades.

 

Guardiola’s stance on the matter highlights his focus on the positives, despite a season that has been deemed underwhelming by Manchester City’s lofty standards. The team’s failure to defend their Premier League title, coupled with their elimination from the Champions League, has led to speculation about their ability to secure major silverware.

 

However, Guardiola remains adamant that his team has already achieved something noteworthy this season. By acknowledging the Community Shield as a legitimate trophy, Guardiola is emphasizing the importance of recognizing and appreciating the team’s accomplishments, no matter how seemingly minor they may appear.

 

As Manchester City continues to navigate the remainder of the season, Guardiola’s comments serve as a reminder that success can take many forms.

 

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In a compelling show of mutual respect and shared philosophy, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has echoed the sentiments of Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta by declaring that Manchester City has “already won a trophy” this season. The statement, while not referring to silverware in the traditional sense, speaks volumes about the evolving narrative around success, mentality, and consistency in elite football.

 

The claim follows Manchester City’s progression through a challenging season filled with injuries, high expectations, and relentless competition at both domestic and European levels. With Guardiola’s team still firmly in contention for the Premier League title, the UEFA Champions League, and the FA Cup, the Spanish tactician’s comments have sparked debate—but also admiration—for the psychological approach he and Arteta share.

 

The Context of the Statement

 

Earlier in the season, Mikel Arteta made headlines when he asserted that Arsenal had already won something invaluable: the belief and connection between players, staff, and fans. He emphasized that building a winning mentality and identity is a triumph in itself, especially in the long and grueling battle that is the Premier League campaign.

 

Pep Guardiola, who mentored Arteta during his formative coaching years at Manchester City, appears to have taken a page from his protégé’s book. In a recent press conference, Guardiola said, “I agree with Mikel. To be here, at this stage of the season, fighting for everything, showing the same hunger and desire as ever—that is already a kind of victory.”

 

Guardiola pointed to the consistency and mental strength it takes to compete at the highest level, year after year. “To keep showing up, to keep fighting on all fronts, to remain humble and hungry—that is not easy. This team has already achieved something great, regardless of what the final weeks bring,” he said.

 

Redefining What It Means to Win

 

Guardiola’s statement highlights a broader philosophy that is gaining traction among modern managers: that success is not only measured in silverware. Of course, trophies remain the ultimate goal, but in the face of intense competition, marginal gains, and unforeseeable variables like injuries and scheduling congestion, there is value in recognizing intangible victories.

 

“In football, you play 60 or more matches a season,” Guardiola said. “If you wait until the last day of the season to decide if you are successful or not, you miss the journey. Our team has performed at a top level throughout the year. We’ve adapted, we’ve evolved, and we’ve stayed true to our identity.”

 

For Guardiola, the mere fact that Manchester City is still alive in three major competitions is a testament to the team’s resilience and elite standards. He sees it as proof that his side remains among the world’s best, despite the toll of previous seasons and the ever-increasing competitiveness of the modern game.

 

The Guardiola-Arteta Connection

 

It’s no coincidence that Guardiola’s words mirror Arteta’s earlier comments. The Arsenal manager served as Guardiola’s assistant at City from 2016 to 2019, learning not just tactical blueprints but also the psychological and emotional demands of elite football.

 

Arteta has often credited Guardiola for shaping his managerial outlook, especially in the areas of mentality and culture. The two Spaniards share more than a nationality—they share a belief in process, in building a sustainable structure where winning becomes the byproduct of daily excellence.

 

Guardiola’s agreement with Arteta is a subtle nod to that shared journey. While their clubs may be neck-and-neck in the Premier League title race, there is a mutual admiration between the two coaches. Both understand that creating a winning environment, fostering belief, and instilling resilience are as critical as the trophies themselves.

 

A Trophy in Mentality

 

When Guardiola says City has “won a trophy” already, he’s referring to something far more enduring than medals or cups: the maintenance of a winning mentality. After five Premier League titles in six years, it would be understandable if complacency crept in. But Guardiola’s team continues to play with intensity, innovation, and unity.

 

“To go again, after winning the treble, and still have this fire—that is not normal,” Guardiola said. “I’ve seen teams fall after winning everything. But this group, they want more. That is our trophy right now.”

 

City’s hunger has indeed been remarkable. Despite injuries to key players like Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland at different points in the season, the team has remained consistent. They’ve adapted tactically, used squad depth wisely, and stayed focused on their objectives.

 

That level of consistent excellence doesn’t happen by chance—it is cultivated. It’s the result of culture, leadership, and shared standards. For Guardiola, that’s a kind of victory that deserves recognition.

 

Trophies Still in Sight

 

While Guardiola’s words may suggest a philosophical satisfaction, make no mistake: the hunger for tangible trophies remains. City are still pushing hard in all three competitions, aiming to make history yet again.

 

“We don’t relax,” Guardiola said. “We celebrate the mentality, but we still want to win everything. That is who we are.”

 

The City boss knows all too well the value of silverware, having lifted more than 30 trophies in his managerial career. But his recent comments show maturity—a willingness to recognize success in the process, not just the result.

 

Should City go on to win one or more of their remaining competitions, Guardiola’s statement will only resonate more deeply. If they don’t, it may serve as a reminder that success in football is not always binary.

 

Final Thoughts

 

In agreeing with Mikel Arteta, Pep Guardiola has offered fans and pundits a deeper understanding of what it means to lead at the highest level. He has reminded the world that while trophies define legacies, the journey—the process of building, growing, and maintaining a winning culture—is a triumph in itself.

 

For Manchester City, the season is far from over. But even now, with everything still to play for, Guardiola sees value in what they have already achieved. It’s a testament to elite mentality, and to the kind of thinking that separates great teams from merely good ones.

 

Whether or not City lifts another trophy this season, the message is clear: in the relentless pursuit of excellence, the process is a reward in itself. And that, perhaps, is the most Guardiola thing ever.