Pep Guardiola Reacts to Myles Lewis-Skelly’s ‘Zen’ Celebration & Apologizes After 5-1 Defeat

Manchester City Humiliated by Arsenal in Shocking 5-1 Loss

Manchester City endured a humiliating 5-1 defeat against Arsenal, with Myles Lewis-Skelly making headlines not only for his goal but also for his celebration mimicking Erling Haaland. The heavy loss further exposed City’s defensive struggles, leaving Pep Guardiola frustrated and apologetic to traveling fans.

Guardiola’s Reaction to Lewis-Skelly’s Celebration

During his post-match press conference, Guardiola was informed that Lewis-Skelly had copied Haaland’s iconic ‘zen’ celebration. The Spanish manager, known for his sarcastic responses, smirked and simply said:
💬 “Oh, I didn’t see it… I didn’t see them do that… that’s good. That’s good.”

He then turned to City’s media officer, as if hinting at the calculated nature of his reply, and asked: “Did you like my answer?”

Arsenal’s Ruthless Attack Exposes City’s Defensive Weaknesses

City found themselves trailing early due to John Stones’ costly mistake, allowing Martin Ødegaard to open the scoring. Haaland briefly equalized with a brilliant header, but Arsenal quickly regained control with goals from Thomas Partey, Lewis-Skelly, Kai Havertz, and Ethan Nwaneri.

The loss highlighted City’s ongoing defensive problems, with Guardiola admitting:
💬 “We are giving away too many things this season, and we are aware this cannot happen. But it happened.”

Guardiola Apologizes to Fans & Acknowledges City’s Struggles

Speaking candidly, Guardiola expressed his disappointment and issued an apology to City fans:
💬 “Pride hurts. Sorry to the fans that have traveled to watch that. How we played in the last 30 minutes was not acceptable. Personally and collectively, it’s not us.”

The City boss also emphasized the need for mental strength and stability:
💬 “You have to overcome these situations. You cannot lose control—it’s 90/95 minutes. We could’ve scored three more, but the team has to be stable, no matter what happens.”

What Do You Think?

Can Manchester City bounce back from this crushing defeat? Is their title defense in jeopardy after such a performance? Share your thoughts below!