Pep Guardiola has said that an Arsenal defeat to Manchester City on Sunday could effectively end the Premier League title race, though he insists there would still be work to do even if his side win.
Arsenal currently sit six points clear at the top of the table, but City have a game in hand and will host Mikel Arteta’s side at the Etihad Stadium in a crucial top-of-the-table clash.
A win for Guardiola’s men, followed by victory at struggling Burnley in midweek, would see Manchester City move to the top of the standings for the first time in several months.
Despite Arsenal’s strong position, Guardiola pointed to the fine margins still defining the title race, while acknowledging the significance of Sunday’s encounter.
“If we lose, yeah, it’s over,” Guardiola said at his pre-match press conference on Friday. “But the other two results… we still have games to play. Six games are a lot.”
Arsenal’s recent form has raised questions about their ability to sustain a title challenge, with just one win in their last five matches across all competitions. Their League Cup final defeat to City last month has coincided with a dip in momentum.
Mikel Arteta’s side have also been balancing domestic duties with a demanding Champions League campaign, having reached the semi-finals after edging past Sporting Lisbon in midweek. City, by contrast, have had a full week to prepare for the fixture.
Guardiola praised Arsenal’s overall season performance, describing them as the strongest side in England so far, while warning his players against being distracted by the pressure of the title race.
“They have been the best so far, but we want to challenge them,” he said. “It is just a football game… if you get distracted by emotions, that is how you lose focus.”
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland described the match as a defining moment in the title race, calling it “like a final.”
“It’s a massive game without a doubt… probably the biggest and the best game there will be,” Haaland said. “These are the games you want to play.”
City received a fitness boost with Nico O’Reilly available after recovering from injury, while captain Rúben Dias remains sidelined.
The outcome of Sunday’s showdown could have major implications for the Premier League title race as the season approaches its decisive phase.
