Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola has revealed that he told his players to ignore Arsenal’s surprise draw with Sunderland ahead of their clash with Liverpool.

The Gunners dropped points at the Stadium of Light for only the third time this season, a result that briefly opened the door for City or Liverpool to close in on the Premier League leaders.

Despite the opportunity, Guardiola urged his players not to focus on Arsenal’s setback but on themselves.

“I think Liverpool and us said ‘oh wow Arsenal dropped points finally and conceded two goals,’” Guardiola said. “But at the end we have to do it and I said to the players ‘don’t do it because yesterday Arsenal didn’t win. Do it because we believe in ourselves that we can play against the champions of England and show them we are ready to be there with them this season.’”

Pep Guardiola’s strategy worked as his team beat Liverpool 3-0 on Sunday. The win lifted Manchester City to second place in the table, leapfrogging Chelsea, and putting them four points behind Arsenal as the league pauses for the international break.

Even with City hitting form at the right time, Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher insists Arsenal remain the team to beat this season. Speaking to Sky Sports, Carragher called the Gunners “the best team” in the Premier League.

“Twice in the last three years, they’ve come from behind and caught Arsenal. Liverpool are the champions but City took them to the cleaners,” Carragher said. “They [Arsenal] might be getting a few flashbacks to the last couple of times they had a chance at a title. I still think Arsenal are the best team I’ve seen in the Premier League this season, no doubt.”