‘It’s all fun and games. I like it’
Jack Grealish has a novel way of dealing with the abuse dished out to him by opposition supporters – he embraces it.
The winger was instrumental during Manchester City’s one-goal win on Thursday against Chelsea, which put them within five points of Arsenal.
‘I’ve been there’ – Jack Grealish
The 27-year-old was jeering by some home fans at Stamford Bridge, and was constantly booed by Leeds United supporters over the Christmas period. Jack Grealish responded by applauding all four sides of Elland Road when withdrawn by Pep Guardiola.
“I’ve been there when I’ve been on the home team and the home fans are giving one of the away players a bit of stick so it’s all fun and games. I like it,” MailOnline quoted Grealish as saying.
His response against Chelsea was to play a key part in the City winner, then bask in the victory glow, on the Stamford Bridge pitch, as he spoke with Sky Sports. Grealish has been criticised for a lack of goals since his £100million move from Aston Villa, but Guardiola has continued to back him.
Grealish believes his team is ready to topple Arsenal when they meet at Emirates Stadium next month.
“We just have to try and catch them and try to win as many games as possible and go on a little winning run,” Grealish said.
“I am sure that if we do, I am sure we will be ready to pounce upon [them] if they do slip up.”
Grealish said all City can do is “carry on winning games and putting on good performances”.
“Chelsea was massive, honestly. We are chasing Arsenal down and I don’t want to go too much into that, but it is what we know.
“We have unbelievable players in those forward positions so we know that we are not going to play every single game but we have to be there and ready when called upon.”
‘That is what we know’ – Jack Grealish warns Manchester City are waiting for Arsenal to slip up
City are five points adrift of leaders Arsenal (Picture: Getty)
Jack Grealish has promised Manchester City are ready to pounce on any Arsenal slip-ups in the Premier League title race.
The Gunners now hold a five point lead over the defending champions after dropping their first points since October at home to Newcastle United on Monday night.
City closed that gap with a victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, with the sides set to collide at the Emirates on 15 February.
Before that, Mikel Arteta take on arch-rivals Tottenham and Manchester United, with City hoping to see the gap between the two further reduced before that key fixture.
City have their own tough run of fixtures before they meet Arsenal, however, heading to Old Trafford for the second Manchester derby of the season next Saturday.
They also take on Tottenham twice in the space of 17 days, having lost home and away to the north Londoners last season.
‘We just have to try and catch them and try to win as many games as possible and go on a little winning run,’ Grealish said.
City hoping to close the gap further in the coming weeks (Picture: Getty)
‘Chelsea was massive, honestly. We are chasing Arsenal down and I don’t want to go too much into that, but it is what we know.
‘We have unbelievable players in those forward positions so we know that we are not going to play every single game but we have to be there and ready when called upon.’
Pep Guardiola however feels it will take a major slump in form from Arsenal to allow City back into the race, believing the Gunners are on course to hit the 100-point mark.
Source: sportsjoe.ie; metro.co.uk
