Pep Guardiola hits back at Arsene Wenger’s dive claims over Raheem Sterling after the Manchester City flier wins penalty to sink Huddersfield
Etihad chief aims dig at the Arsenal boss - by asking what Wenger would think of the latest spot-kick won by Sterling
PEP GUARDIOLA has jabbed back at Arsene Wenger's claims Raheem Sterling dives.
In-form flier Sterling won Sergio Aguero's penalty leveller before hitting Manchester City's late clincher at Huddersfield.
Boss Guardiola said: "Maybe Arsene will say that is a penalty. The penalty is more than clear."
Top scorer Sterling now has 12 goals, his best ever haul for a season and one more than Aguero this term
Guardiola added: "He's a winning player. Before, he made good actions but now he is winning games.
"We're in November and he's already broken the record. He’s top but not only with goals.
"I'm impressed. He's young and he can improve.
"If he wants to learn then we'll be there to help him."
PEP TALK Pep Guardiola plays down talks of being invincible as Manchester City survive a tough test against Huddersfield
Arsenal chief Wenger suggested Sterling "dives well" after the England attacker fell under Nacho Monreal's shove in a 3-1 victory for City on November 5.
But now the main question over Sterling seems to be whether he can maintain his scintillating displays and take his club form into next summer's World Cup.
Sterling has now struck four times in the last 10 minutes in matches this season.
And City's 18-game winning run includes a Premier League record of 37 points from the first 13 games.
Eventually overcoming Huddersfield's strong defending also meant City became the first top-level club to triumph in 11 straight away matches.
But Guardiola insists City have no chance of going the season undefeated like Arsenal's Invincibles of 2003-4 - but revealed they spend plenty of times preparing for tough situations in games.
The former Barcelona and Bayern boss said: "It's impossible to finish unbeaten.
most read in football
"‘We have to live this situation, when we're in trouble.
"We spoke in the locker room about how we need this situation to happen.
"To win the Premier League you have to live this. I said don't give up, be positive all the time, be focused on what you have to do. You fight to avoid losing the games.
"We played a real Premier League game today, the winter has come, and it was tough."
Keep up to date with ALL the transfer news and gossip on our blog