Pep Guardiola says his Manchester City side have proved they can deliver when there is “no option but to win” after beating Arsenal 4-1 at Etihad Stadium, putting the Premier League title race in their hands. City are now two points behind Arsenal with two games in hand, and have seven matches left, starting with Sunday’s trip to Fulham before home games against West Ham and Leeds. Guardiola said, “We cannot lose our focus. Now it’s in our hands. These next three games will dictate if we can do what we want to do. The reality is we’re still behind Arsenal. It will not be easy for us, but it is game by game and we see what happens. When it’s in our hands, we have to use it.” The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss believes the experience of his players knowing what it takes to win in the final stages of the season is proving crucial, saying they go into every match trying to win. City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne scored twice in Wednesday’s win, with defender John Stones heading in the second just before half-time and striker Erling Haaland adding a late fourth. De Bruyne said there is still a “long” way to go, despite many people thinking they are almost certain to win a third successive title.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says he thinks his side will have to win all five of their remaining matches to have a chance of their first title since 2004. Arteta’s team were eight points clear at the start of the month but three successive draws meant they lost momentum going into the match at City, which had been billed as the title decider. He said, “We knew we’d need our best as a team. We were far from that. I don’t know what will be required [to win the title]. We have to lift the players up because they’re suffering. It’s a difficult one to swallow.” Asked if Arsenal need to win all five games to have a chance, the Gunners boss said: “I think so.” However, he expressed his pride at the team’s performances this season and pointed out they were performing way above expectations.
Former Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given on BBC Radio 5 Live said City have got the tougher run-in so it’s not over yet, while ex-Manchester United captain Rio Ferdinand on BT Sport said City knew what was needed and showed their level. Ex-Manchester United striker Dion Dublin on BBC Radio 5 Live said Arsenal from the outset didn’t have any answers to how City were set up, while former Arsenal title-winning captain Patrick Vieira on BT Sport said it was a strong statement from City to say: ‘You’re still a long way from us.’ Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown on BT Sport said it’s the acid test when you play Manchester City and that Arsenal are putting the pieces in the jigsaw puzzle but it is still a long way to go.