Pep Guardiola aims dig at Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United – ‘I’m waiting’

Pep Guardiola has told Manchester City’s big-spending rivals he is ‘waiting’ for them to usurp his club as the dominant force in English football in an attempt to defend another huge January outlay.

The recent arrivals of Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi, at a combined cost of £84million, meant City were once again splashing the cash during the window in an attempt to bolster their squad during the run-in.

Rivals Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United, meanwhile, kept their powder dry with the summer in mind, leading to accusations that were City to end the season with major silverware they would have done so by flexing their financial muscle.

Guardiola dismissed any such notion as risible ahead of tomorrow night’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Newcastle and was keen to remind critics that when it comes to net spend, there are six clubs above City in that particular pecking order.

Asked if his sporting director, Hugo Viana, should receive praise for arming Guardiola with two ready made Premier League players, the City boss said: ‘Really good. I am a little bit sad and upset because net spend the last five years, we are seventh in the Premier League. I want to be the first. I don’t understand how the club don’t spend more money so I am a little bit grumpy with them.

‘But, with the position like we were in the past, because we spent a lot, now six teams have to win the Champions League and Premier Leagues and FA Cups because they have spent more in the last five years.

‘This is a fact. You can say opinions like ‘you played good’ or ‘you played bad’ – we can agree or disagree but those are facts.

‘Good luck to the six teams that are in front of us in net spend over the last five years. Good luck, I am waiting.

‘Nice quote, eh?’

Regardless of whether or not they win a trophy, major or otherwise, between now and June, Guardiola is confident City are well placed to challenge in the coming years having drastically reduced the average age of his squad.

‘It is the reality,’ said Guardiola in reference to City’s struggles against stronger opposition this season.

‘The second half (against Spurs) we have dropped what we have shown in the first. It is the youngest side we have had in 10 years and maybe we need to live it and stop trying to do what we did in the first halves. We have to grow with that, definitely.’

City will hope for an instant uplift by booking their place at Wembley tomorrow night and continuing their fine recent history in a competition that has often provided a platform to kick on from.

‘We have the chance to make out fifth final in 10 years in the Carabao Cupl,’ said Guardiola.

‘I prefer to start with 2-0 up but I know perfectly how many times we have played Newcastle – the pride they have. They are a Champions League team and it will be a tough game.

‘We have to be prepared and play our game for our people, our fans and try and reach Wembley in March.’