- Manchester City reclaimed top spot in the Premier League on Wednesday night, moving ahead of Arsenal on goals scored (66 vs 63) after both teams reached 70 points.
- Following Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat at the Etihad Stadium, a defiant Declan Rice was captured telling teammates “It’s not done,” sparking praise from Pep Guardiola.
- With just five matches remaining, Guardiola has warned his squad that Arsenal’s mentality makes them more dangerous than ever.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has warned his players over the “mentality” of the Arsenal squad they are facing in the fight for the Premier League title.
The dynamic of the title race shifted seismically this week after Arsenal – who had spent nearly 200 days at the summit of the table – dropped to second following Manchester City’s gritty 1-0 victory over Burnley on Wednesday night.
Despite being level on points and goal difference, it is Manchester City’s superior attacking output throughout the season so far that has placed the destiny of the English top-flight trophy back in Guardiola’s hands.
However, the Catalan coach is refusing to allow complacency to seep into the Etihad Stadium dressing room, now pointing back to last weekend’s six-pointer to take note of the reaction within Arsenal’s leadership – and specifically Declan Rice.
Why Pep loves Declan Rice’s never-say-die attitude
Speaking exclusively to Sky Sports, Guardiola revealed how he ‘loved’ the “mentality” on show from Arsenal’s squad, particularly highlighted by Rice’s post-match message after he and his teammates fell to defeat the Etihad Stadium.
“I love that. I love that. That’s why Arsenal is there. I saw it and it shows what Declan Rice means. That’s the Arsenal mentality, we’ve faced it in the Premier League these [past] seasons and in the Carabao Cup, how competitive they are,” said Guardiola.
“Otherwise they can’t have done the season they have done in the Premier League being there and being unbeaten in the Champions League, as you have Mikel [Arteta] but also these type of players that follow the message.
“And in the bad moments, they have the resilience [to say] we are there, we are there. That is a good example for us what we’re going to face in the five games in the title race.”
The Manchester City boss continued, “They know exactly what opponents we’re going to face in the five games. If people think because we beat them, the title race is done, Declan Rice showed us that they are there.”
It’s everything to play for at Arsenal and Man City
The race now enters a straight shootout over the final five fixtures in the Premier League, although Manchester City’s immediate focus shifts to the FA Cup semi-final against Southampton this Saturday.
As for the top-flight, City next face a challenging trip to Everton followed by a home clash against Brentford, and Pep Guardiola remains wary that any slip-up would be pounced upon by an Arsenal side that has proven its ability to remain “unbeaten in the Champions League”.
For Arsenal, the task is clear in that they must find a way to overhaul City’s narrow advantage while navigating a schedule that includes several London derbies amid a Champions League semi-final double-header against Atletico Madrid.
