Players not affected by Pep Guardiola links, says Pellegrini

Mills, who spent five years with City during the previous decade, insists the link to Guardiola is making Pellegrini’s job more hard and has called on his old employers to clarify where the 62-year-old stands.

Monday’s match could prove critical to the title race and, although keen to emphasise the contest will not “define” anything at this stage, Silva has no doubt Arsenal have “everything they need” and – along with surprise package Leicester – are City’s “direct rivals”.

Matic was named as Serbia’s Player of the Year for 2015 this week, and the Chelsea midfielder took the opportunity to address rumours of dressing room unrest at the club, which is alleged to have occurred before Mourinho was relieved of his duties as Blues manager on Thursday.

Yet despite all that he has achieved at City – and this season you feel will be one that ultimately shapes the legacy he leaves behind – coming away empty handed at The Emirates felt evidence enough as to why the power brokers at the club are quite so desperate to secure the services of Guardiola. “I nearly think the club has to come out and make some sort of statement or at least tell Pellegrini the situation”.

Pellegrini support: Even Manuel Pellegrini, the current manager, sounds, from recent pronouncements, as if he supports the idea of Guardiola as his successor. The Ivorian striker has been used sparingly this season, despite Sergio Aguero’s recurring injury problems.

Wilfried Bony has voiced his frustration that he had to make way for Aguero at Arsenal, but Pellegrini claims there is no unrest. I’m disappointed that I didn’t start against Arsenal; but I’m not the coach. He hasn’t played for a couple of weeks. The coach does what he thinks is best for the team. He just has to choose 11 players. “Not good for own team or speculation for others”.

“I have read several times I think that I had a bad relationship with him, but it is likely to have been written by some idiots”. “Pep Guardiola will work here (in England), I don’t know if it is next season here (at City) or at another club”.

‘Prepare very well, then it will depend on the coach who he is going to put in. We go with the same attitude and spirit.