MANCHESTER, England (AP) — For Pep Guardiola, it’s cut and dried.
“Of course if we lose, it’s over,” the Manchester City manager said of Sunday’s match. premier league title showdown With Arsenal.
Guardiola, who is six points behind Arsenal, admitted his players had no second chance.
Reflecting on the title race in which City were the chasers, Guardiola said he felt City had “missed the chance” to catch up with Arsenal after a seven-day period in early January in which they drew against Sunderland, Chelsea and Brighton.
He had similar feelings earlier in March when City drew back-to-back games with relegation candidates Nottingham Forest and West Ham.
“We said, ‘Oh, it’s running away from us,'” Guardiola said on Friday. “But it’s never over until it’s over, and we’re still here.”
That has as much to do with vulnerabilities within Arsenal’s squad as it does with City’s own improving form.
Mikel Arteta’s side have lost three of their last five games, but only won one of those games in the league. Lost 2-1 at home to Bournemouth Saturday.
Arsenal, who have finished runners-up in the past three seasons, are seeking to become English champions for the first time since 2004. The team, then coached by Arsene Wenger, went undefeated in the league all season.
“We are fighting against a really, really important and irresistible situation. We haven’t won the Premier League for 22 years,” Guardiola said. “When we have that aspect, we can’t compete. That’s what makes[Arsenal]unique.”
City may be in their best form of the season, having won their last three games in all competitions. 2-0 win over Arsenal They defeated Liverpool 4-0 in the League Cup final and Chelsea 3-0 in the league.
Guardiola said the players’ confidence was evident.
“This is great for managers,” he says. “If I could buy it at the supermarket, I would go buy it right away.
“That is one of the most important aspects and of course the result will help us. The reality is that there are seven games left in the Premier League and this is the decisive moment.”
Privilege, not pressure
Asked about the pressure his team is under, Arteta said: “I think the question is who is more privileged to be in this position?”
“I’m very honored, but I don’t know how Pep or Man City feel, but it’s an honor to have earned the right to be in this position, playing in such a big, great game.”
Arsenal have drawn their last two league games against the Etihad and Arteta said they were preparing for the match “to win”.
“The balance will tip a little bit,” Arteta said of the title boost his side would receive if they won. “But it’s very difficult for anyone to win games in the Premier League, so it’s going to be a difficult game for all of us after this game.”
injury news
Arteta said Bukayo Saka would be sidelined due to injury, but fellow right-winger Noni Maduke, who was sent off with a suspected knee problem in Tuesday’s Champions League game against Sporting Lisbon, “could be available”.
Even if Madueke is unavailable, Arteta says he would have no hesitation in exposing the 16-year-old. Max Dauman In such a big game.
“I’m sure he’s ready,” Arteta said. “You throw him in any situation and you know what he’s going to bring. He showed that this season.”
Guardiola said left-back Nico O’Reilly was “okay” after coming off injured in the second half of last weekend’s game against Chelsea.
Here are the remaining matches for the title.
Arsenal: Man City (away), Newcastle (home), Fulham (home), West Ham (away), Burnley (home), Crystal Palace (away)
Man City: Arsenal (home), Burnley (away), Everton (away), Brentford (home), Bournemouth (away), Crystal Palace (home), Aston Villa (home).
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