Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has fired a warning to Arsenal by insisting that the Premier League title race remains ‘open’.
Premier League Title Race Remains ‘Open’
Pep Guardiola has warned Arsenal that the Premier League title race remains open.
Manchester City currently trail the Gunners by six points, but with 17 games remaining before the end of the campaign, Guardiola believes his side are able to make a comeback.
His comments come off the back of Arsenal dropping points for the first time since early December on Thursday, as they were held to a goalless stalemate by Liverpool at the Emirates.
An incident involving Gabriel Martinelli and Conor Bradley was the fixture’s standout moment, with the former causing a mass brawl after attempting to shove the latter off the pitch.
The Spaniard’s comments also come following City drawing a third consecutive match in the English top-flight. They were held to a 1-1 draw by Brighton at the Etihad on Wednesday.
He said: “It’s better, of course, that the team at the top of the league [Arsenal] is dropping points.
“But if we make that analysis after three draws [vs Brighton, Chelsea and Sunderland], and whether it’s better to win those games, it’s better to think about ourselves, right?
“So it would be a huge mistake if you think that the situation is better because a fantastic team like Liverpool can equalise [draw] a game at the Emirates. So it’s better to think about ourselves.”
He continued, stating that his side need to reinstill the winning mentality of years gone by.
“One of our incredible attributes from previous years has always been that we have found a way to win games. Don’t ask me how, but always we find a way to win games…even by playing worse than in the last three games that we draw, we were able to do it.
“So we have to do better. It’s better to be six points than eight points but the reality is the reality. In terms of points – 21 we have played and we are six points behind, so everything is open.”
Should City fail to overturn a six point deficit to reclaim top spot from Arsenal, some have suggested that Guardiola could depart the club at the end of the season.
Ex-Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is favoured to replace him in the next Manchester City manager odds market. Luis Enrique and Vincent Kompany also feature highly in the betting market.
Of course, Unai Emery’s Aston Villa shouldn’t be discounted in the race for the title, either. The Villans are currently level on points with City, having drawn against Crystal Palace last time out.
Manchester City and Arsenal in Cup Action
Both City and Arsenal are in FA Cup and Carabao Cup action over the next week.
The Cityzens host Exeter in their FA Cup third round clash on Saturday before travelling to St James’ Park to take on Newcastle in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final on Tuesday.
Mikel Arteta’s side, who are favourites in the Champions League winner odds market, face Portsmouth in the FA Cup on Sunday and take on Chelsea in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.
The pair return to league action next Saturday, with City hosting Manchester United in the afternoon, while the Gunners go up against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground in the evening.
