Manchester City

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola did his pre-match news conference after yesterday's victory over Brighton.

Following the fallout from Nottingham Forest's criticism of match officials last weekend, Guardiola said he doesn't let himself become preoccupied with refereeing appointments.

"I go to the game and I never ever know who is the referee," he said. "When I see their face, it's 'oh, I remember that face'. I never in my life talk about the referees before, during or after - never ever, ever.

"A mistake can be a mistake and we are sad, and when it's in our favour we are lucky. But I don't waste my time. I have to economise, I have to choose with my time exactly what I have to do. I don't spend one second (thinking) about referees, especially when we lose."

Talking about Manchester City, this just in from manager Pep Guardiola...

Arsenal

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta's final word on Sunday's match at north London rivals Tottenham: "For sure, we are going to be ready. We have had a bit of time to recover and to prepare from the Chelsea game and I am sure their team is going to be fully ready to go again on Sunday."

On the need to be perfect between now and the end of the season to challenge Manchester City, who are one point behind with a game in hand following Thursday's 4-0 win at Brighton: "It's another game that [Man City] managed to win in a convincing way, something that we cannot control. Let's do what we have to do."

Tottenham Hotspur

Image source, Getty Images

A final word from Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou on Arsenal's blueprint for success under Mikel Arteta: "It's no coincidence that the teams that have been up there consistently over the past two or three years have been the teams that have had a clear plan on what they wanted to do and stuck by it. Arsenal are a great example of that.

"Mikel has done an outstanding job and I think it has been recognised by the club that he is the man to lead them forward and they have supported him ever since then.

"I think there is a blueprint there for every club but it is not as simple as saying that you should stick to the same process. Every club is unique in terms of how they rebuild, but it is a credit to Arsenal and Mikel more than anybody.

"They have been really disciplined about building a side that they think will bring sustained success and they have been challenging now for three years to do that."

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou on the importance of bouncing back after losing 4-0 at Newcastle: "The Newcastle game was really disappointing for us on a number of levels. Obviously, the result was poor but the performance didn't anywhere reach the levels we wanted it to. We have learned a hell of a lot out of that.

"But irrespective of that, it doesn't matter what you have done in the previous game, when you are playing in such a big game as the derby, particularly at this time of the year, there is great meaning to the points for both clubs. What's happened previously, whether that is the immediate past or further back, becomes irrelevant.

"We expect a tough game, it is going to have a bit of an edge to it. There will be a great atmosphere and you have just got to get ready to make sure you match those levels with the performance."

Is it the biggest game for you as a manager since you joined the club?: "I think every game is important and I take every game seriously. That's the one thing I have been trying to impress upon this group of players - that is the nature of the Premier League, it is relentless. If you are not 100% focussed on each different challenge then you are going to come up short. I always feel as if the next game is the biggest game, but I understand the context around the north London derby and what it means to our supporters, for sure."

Arsenal

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta on his message to the team for the title: "Enjoy the moment, try to navigate things to a natural way. They are super competitive at the moment. There is one thing to do in this situation, compete, compete, complete. It's a really good sign because we know what we are going to have to do to win it and we have to raise the bar, every day in training to match that."

Arsenal

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta on his squad challenging for the title: "I hope so, you have to show every season, every game and in this league, that's extremely difficult to do. two years in a row we are not satisfied that we want to win it, we are going to do everything we can to win it and if we do win it, we are going to try to win it again, if we don't, for sure we will try again."

Arsenal

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta on preparing for the north London Derby as a manager compared to when he was a player: "More motivation, if anything, you know what you can give to your people, which is a lot of joy and happiness if we manage to win the game. Obviously when you have the chance to do that and that's in your hand, you really want to make the most of it to try and make it happen."

On Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou: "Really impressive with what he has done, It's not a surprise, I know it from when he was in the Australian national team, when he was in Japan, I followed Celtic and he has always been super clear with the direction and identity of how his team plays. I love the way his teams play so I think he's been very good."

Arsenal

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta on having a selection 'headache': "It's a good headache. You feel for the players, because I see how much they want it and how much everyone wants to start and contribute to the team and impact the team in the right way so it is always difficult and it's part of the job. They are fully ready to come on the pitch, in whatever time that we need them, to try and help us to win matches and the spirit is so good."

Tottenham Hotspur

More from Ange Postecoglou on Tottenham fans wanting to stop Arsenal winning the Premier League title: "It's fair enough. I am not going to dictate how our fans feel and what they feel is important. We understand the importance of the game and understand the importance of being at home in these kind of games to not let our biggest rival win in the biggest derby for us. We understand the consequences of that but ultimately it is about us trying to measure ourselves against the teams we want to be challenging on a more consistent basis. It's a great opportunity to be doing that on Sunday."

Tottenham Hotspur

Ange Postecoglou on Tottenham returning to action for the first time since their 4-0 defeat at Newcastle on 13 April: "It's unusual to have no games at all, particularly when there is a fair bit of football happening. We tried to use that time as well as possible. We have trained hard. The players, to be fair to them, have embraced that. But we are definitely looking forward to having a game - that is for sure."

On the next three games - at home to Arsenal and away to Chelsea and Liverpool: "Every time you are out there is a chance to measure yourself. I have got a fair idea of where we are at, what progress we have made and what progress we need to make. It's another great challenge for us. We have three big games and finish the season with another three games - they are all games of consequence for us and the opposition so I think the players are looking forward to that. At this time of year you want to be playing for something and certainly the games we will be involved in will all have something in them, so we are looking forward to it."

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou on Destiny Udogie's season-ending injury: "A disappointing one for Destiny and for ourselves as well. He's been a big part of our year. It was an unfortunate incident in training. He's had the operation, it's gone well so hopefully that gives him time come pre-season to get back into it. We will miss him.

On other team news: "Skippy [Oliver Skipp] picked up a small knock in training so he will miss this weekend. They are the outs, apart from the long-term ones. Pedro [Porro] and Richy [Richarlison] both trained all week, so they are both available."

Wolves

Wolves manager Gary O'Neil on VAR: "I am keen to let the guys get on with it. We worry about what is best for the game. There are so many different things that are part of the game - getting the correct decision is obviously important, the enjoyment of the fans is important. There are so many different factors involved. Me giving my opinion is not really that important, the guys that are in charge of it need to find a way that makes it feel like it works for everybody. I am sure they will be working hard at that."

On the mood in the camp after defeat to Bournemouth: "The lads are still in very good spirits. It's the Premier League so you are going to suffer some tough moments but they have bounced back very well from other ones so far this year and we will be looking to do the same tomorrow. It's a big game for us, Luton are one of the ones involved in a scrap near the bottom but we are keen to make sure we are at our best again."

Wolves

Wolves manager Gary O'Neil on team news and bouncing back following Wednesday's 1-0 defeat at home to Bournemouth: "No-one to welcome back - we are as we were with the injured players. I was critical of us as a group on the day for what we were able to produce. There has not been many times that I have had to do that this season, but that was one that fell below the standards that we look to get to. It's probably good for us that we have not got long in between games so we can look to bounce back very quickly against Luton."

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo faces the press this afternoon ahead of Sunday’s visit of Manchester City – the first time he will have spoken to the media since the club sparked a storm last week.

Forest have been heavily criticised for questioning Stuart Attwell’s integrity after he was the VAR official in their 2-0 defeat to Everton on Sunday, where Forest had three penalty claims turned down.

Nuno is sure to be bombarded with questions about the issue, with the manager himself making his feelings clear after the match by saying both referee Anthony Taylor and Attwell had “bad” games.

Forest are under investigation from both the Premier League and the Football Association and charges are expected to follow.

Chelsea

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino on not having history repeat itself: "If you see after the Manchester City FA cup semi-final, it was a disaster, the result against Arsenal. That is a challenge, that is a challenge and we are going to try."

Is it hard to motivate players?: "We think we are responsible to motivate players, why? It's difficult to accept. When you play for Chelsea, the motivation is there. if you don't have the motivation, it is difficult. I don't believe that is the problem, the motivation. The problem is to have the capacity to perform. We cannot give them the excuse to not perform and not to be focussed but at the same time, we are people, we are not machines. The players need to be focused. There's six games left to play, its important for me, its important for them."

Simon Stone
BBC Sport

It is quite normal for Premier League managers to be speaking to the media on a Friday lunchtime ahead of their weekend games.

Today the man who runs the Premier League also has a press conference.

Chief executive Richard Masters has been part of a European Leagues gathering in London and is amongst those who are due to speak to the media shortly.

Given the force with which he spoke about it last weekend, I suspect Pep Guardiola's negative comments around the match calendar may have been a topic for discussion.

All leagues will be affected by the expansion of the Champions League and introduction of the 32-team Club World Cup next season.

Chelsea

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino on whether Enzo Fernandez could have had his surgery after the season: "The moment he felt the pain and the limitation because of the problem, the most important thing is to fix the situation and fix the problem for him, because if he doesn't feel well and he cannot perform because of the situation, it's not good for him, for the team, for the club. As soon as possible fix the situation, move on and recover from the situation."

Chelsea

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino on the club owners: "To be honest, in the last few months, we didn't cross messages, we communicated via the sporting director. Nothing's changed, we are not changing. My views and my feelings are not changing, even if, now in the last few weeks, we are not crossing texts."

On the mood around the club: "We talk about being together and having a big squad, trying to be together. it's another thing we have to deal with. we need to be positive. The only way to move forward is to be positive, never give up, we are pushing them and trying to get the best in the period we have."

Chelsea

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino on being tested by the recent run of results: "No it's not testing me. It's testing everyone in the club. I was at different clubs, different periods, different circumstances and of course the circumstances are not easy to deal and manage and we are not in the place we wanted to be but we keep positive and try to help the team to perform."