Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has revealed the most challenging feature of English football to adapt to is the physicality, and explains this is the reason why the club have been struggling to play the way he wants them to in recent weeks.
The Spanish coach has endured a tough few weeks with the Citizens after a blistering start to his new life in the top flight of English football, slipping off the top of the table by 10 points with a game in hand, having lost two leagues games on the bounce for the first time in his managerial career.
And speaking to Sky Sports pundit Thierry Henry in an exclusive interview ahead of their clash with Arsenal -viaFourFourTwo-the former Catalan boss has admitted he has been shocked by the physicality and competition for aerial battles from all teams, putting his side's recent struggles down to this.
"I try to play in one way all my career and here, for example with high pressing, when they have the ball we go to pick them up, but it is not allowed. Many times the ball is more in the air than the grass, and I have to adapt," said Guardiola.
In a frank interview with Thierry Henry, Pep Guardiola urges everyone to look at the bigger picture... https://t.co/RBMBcSE3jm pic.twitter.com/ge1krrgSwZ
"I was in Munich and spoke with Xabi Alonso, and he said: 'You have to adapt, it's the second ball, the second ball!' But really, you have to adapt to the second ball, and the third ball, and the fourth!
"I never before was focused on that, because in Barcelona or in Spain, more or less the players try to play for the culture.
"In Germany it was more physical, but not like here. The other teams are taller, stronger, physical, and you have to adapt and build from that."
Guardiola will be looking to make up some points on Chelsea when City play Arsenal at the Etihad on Sunday.