Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has insisted that speculation linking Pep Guardiola with a summer move to the club is not affecting his side.

City are currently six points off the pace in the Premier League title race following Monday night's 2-1 defeat at the hands of Arsenal, leading to suggestions that Pellegrini is being undermined by the ongoing talk over his future.

However, the Chilean believes that such problems are part and parcel of being in charge of a big team and played down the impact that it has on his players.

"I don't think players work for the manager, they work for the group, the team, themselves. They want to win, they want to continue in a big team. A successful manager must have a connection with his players – not everyone can do it – but I don't think professional players have any problems if they are listening or reading about things that may happen next year," Pellegrini told reporters.

"If they are distracted by that sort of thing, they are not professionals, not top players. Because this sort of thing is a fact of life at big clubs, you must separate the present and the future for your work. Look at all the most important teams in Europe, all have them have had moments where the manager is going to be sacked.

"Sometimes the speculation is true, sometimes not, but you cannot let it affect you. Rafa Benitez and Louis van Gaal are facing uncertainty at the moment, it is just what happens with big teams. It's part of the job description."

City host struggling Sunderland on Boxing Day looking to make it five home victories in a row in all competitions.