Pep Guardiola makes concerning Man City admission in huge boost for Arsenal

Pep Guardiola admitted Manchester City's historic Treble triumph has taken a toll on everyone at the club – including himself.

City earned a hard-fought win over Brighton to end a run of two Premier League defeats and get their season back on track after hiccups against Wolves and Arsenal. But the reigning champions were far from their fluent best against Roberto De Zerbi's ebullient side, with Guardiola acknowledging City's ongoing hangover from last season's heroics.

“The Treble had an influence on all of us, me included,” said Guardiola. "So we need to be there, arriving in the final moments at the end of the season, being close to the opponents and trying to do it again.

“I said many times that no one has won four Premier League titles in a row, never ever, so that shows how difficult it is. But now it’s important to be there, especially in the Champions League, qualify for the next round.

“In this period now we have two games against Young Boys and after the second game against them at home, we can be there. After that, we can just focus on the Premier League, Premier League, Premier League. That's the target. That's why today was really important.”

City got off to a flying start, goals from Julian Alvarez and Erling Haaland taking them 2-0 up after 19 minutes, only for Brighton to find a way back through sub Ansu Fati in the 73rd minute.

That ensured an anxious finale for City, who managed to hold out, although a second yellow card for Manuel Akanji in added time means he is suspended for this weekend's derby at Manchester United.

Haaland's goal ended a run of three games without a goal for City, his mini-drought proof of the high standards he has set after plundering a remarkable 52 last season in his debut campaign.

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