Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has voiced his concern that if his team loses this weekend, Arsenal may well end the season as Premier League champions....CONTINUE READING THE FULL ARTICLE>>>
Guardiola made the comments ahead of City’s match against relegation-threatened Leicester at the Etihad on Saturday, while Arsenal are set to face West Ham at the London Stadium on Sunday.
Currently, Arsenal leads the Premier League table by six points over City, with the Gunners having played one more game than their Manchester rivals.
Guardiola is aware that any slip-up from City this weekend could see them fall further behind, potentially putting Arsenal in an unassailable position.
Guardiola’s comments reflect the growing pressure on City, who have struggled to maintain their usual high standards this season.
While they remain one of the top teams in the league, they have been unable to match the consistency of Arsenal, who have been on a remarkable run of form.
With only a few weeks left in the season, every game is crucial, and Guardiola knows that his team will have to be at their very best if they want to stay in contention for the title.
However, with Arsenal looking unstoppable, it may well be too late for City to mount a comeback leaving Guardiola and his team with a disappointing end to the season.
“The fact that we are winning games and games, and we could not do it earlier in the season – we played really, really good but we were not consistent,” said Guardiola.
“Everybody knows that if we lose games we lose competitions.
“That is why our attention to detail is higher. It is the same tomorrow, if we lose we will not be champions. If we win, we could still be there.”
Pep aims subtle dig at Arsenal over European exit
Guardiola also aimed a slight dig at Arsenal by suggesting they now have a clear advantage over City in the title race following their unexpected elimination from the Europa League.
While Arsenal were knocked out of Europe by Sporting Lisbon last month, City progressed to the quarter-finals of the Champions League – where they hold a 3-0 lead over Bayern Munich after the first leg in Manchester.
“We cannot forget, we are six points behind Arsenal,” added Guardiola.
“A team that has dropped few points this season and is playing one game a week, with a lot of time for recovery and to analyse and prepare for games.
“It will be so difficult for them to drop points, that’s why you have to be there as much as possible.”
As Arsenal prepare for their upcoming fixture, they will be looking to bounce back after being held to a disappointing 2-2 draw at Anfield last weekend.
Meanwhile, Manchester City continue their impressive run of form with nine consecutive victories across all competitions, most recently beating Bayern Munich at the Etihad.
As the season draws to a close, attention is turning towards the highly anticipated clash between City and Arsenal on April 26th, which is expected to have a significant impact on the title race.
City, who are hoping to secure their third consecutive Premier League title, will face a strong challenge from Arsenal, who are seeking to win their first title since 2003.
The match is set to be a mouth-watering affair, with both teams boasting a wealth of talent and a hunger for victory.
For Arsenal, this will be a crucial opportunity to close the gap on City and keep their title hopes alive. Meanwhile, City will be looking to maintain their winning streak and extend their lead at the top of the table.
As the season enters its final stages, every point and every game is crucial. The City vs Arsenal match is sure to be a defining moment in the title race, and both teams will be looking to give it their all in what promises to be an unforgettable clash.
Fans and pundits alike will be eagerly anticipating the outcome, as the race for the Premier League title reaches its thrilling conclusion.
