Pep Guardiola has said Carlo Ancelotti is wrong to suggest it is "almost impossible" to play against Manchester City.
Ancelotti made the claim after his Everton side were dismantled 3-1 at Goodison Park on Wednesday as City stretched their winning run to 17 games in all competitions and opened up a 10-point lead at the top of the Premier League table.
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"I appreciate it but I don't agree with him," Guardiola told a news conference on Friday.
"We can lose. I love Carlo, he's an inspiration for me, but I don't agree with him.
"We have to focus on the next game and don't listen to what people say. We are in February, it's still not spring time. You win titles in the summer time; a lot of games to come."
City travel to Arsenal on Sunday 22 points ahead of their hosts in the table.
Manager Mikel Arteta, Guardiola's former assistant at the Etihad Stadium, survived a dismal run in November and December and are within eight points of the top four.
Qualifying for the Champions League is Arteta's priority this season but Guardiola said they will soon be rivaling City for the title.
"All the managers need time but in the last month or two they play better than the opponent in every game," Guardiola added.
"As a manager you want the results you deserve but sometimes it doesn't happen. But in the games they are always better, analysing the control of the game, creating chances and conceding few. In the future, they'll be contenders."
City could again be without Ilkay Gundogan at the Emirates with the midfielder set to be assessed on Saturday after missing the victory over Everton with a groin injury.