Jack Grealish, of Manchester City, specifically praised Pep Guardiola for letting him play against Arsenal on Wednesday night with “freedom.”
The 1-3 victory that propelled Manchester City to the top of the Premier League, leapfrogging their nearest rivals Arsenal until at least the next match week, was greatly aided by England forward.
A Bukayo Saka penalty in the first half had overturned Kevin De Bruyne’s magnificent opening goal, and it was Jack Grealish’s goal in the second half that gave Manchester City the lead once more.
After the most recent match between the two teams, Erling Haaland would seal a major statement win for the defending Premier League champions, who now tie Arsenal on points. City, though, still has the lead thanks to a better goal differential.
After the game, Jack Grealish smiled as he told the announcers that it had been a great night for everyone involved, both individually and as a team. It was a terrific night, he admitted, “honestly big for me.”
“That is what I have desired to do. I consider my recent performances to be strong. I want to attend and influence these significant competitions. It was crucial to score this evening. I must admit that I was ecstatic for the squad and for myself.
Grealish proceeded by thanking Pep Guardiola personally for his support of the former Aston Villa captain this season. The Englishman is now repaying that faith after the Catalan stood by Grealish on multiple occasions.
“I thank the manager really,” the 27-year-old remarked. I have a lot of freedom and he lets me play.”
It’s challenging, as I’ve frequently mentioned. The manager told me to do whatever I wanted to find the ball while I was at Aston Villa. The manager wants us to make the pitch big because we have so many elite players here.
I’m really enjoying my football right now, Jack Grealish continued as he highlighted his bright moment at the Emirates Stadium. Because (Ilkay) Gundo is such an altruistic man, I felt he would succeed. I just had a gut feeling that he and Kev (De Bruyne) were going to pass.
“I’m attempting to cross back over” (with the shot). I was going to try to reverse it as it was coming because it felt like 10 seconds, but I know (Aaron) Ramsdale from our time together in England.
The next time Jack Grealish and the rest of the Manchester City team play will be on Saturday at 3 p.m. when they travel to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League to take on one of the division’s newest teams.
On Saturday, City will play after Arsenal, and if Mikel Arteta’s team keeps losing, Pep Guardiola and his men will be aware of the potential advantage they may have when their own game is about to begin.