Pep Guardiola sends title message to Arsenal with Man City prediction

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola delivered a clear message about the Premier League title race to Arsenal

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has issued a clear message regarding the title race to both his squad and Arsenal following the victory against Newcastle United. City secured a 2-1 triumph over the Magpies, narrowing the deficit to the Gunners at the Premier League summit.

Arsenal have just a two-point lead at the top of the table, with both sides having played an equal number of fixtures, whilst the Gunners prepare to face Tottenham Hotspur in Sunday afternoon’s North London Derby.

Following Arsenal’s midweek stalemate with Wolves, City will once again hold a game in hand after this weekend’s fixtures conclude.

The victory over Newcastle was secured through Nico O’Reilly’s first-half brace, whilst Lewis Hall found the back of the net for the visitors at the Etihad Stadium.

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With the title race heating up and 11 fixtures remaining, Guardiola shared his prediction for the remainder of the season for both City and Arsenal.

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The City boss also addressed his players before their upcoming Premier League fixture, an away trip to Leeds United next weekend.

“Many things are going to happen,” Guardiola said during his post-match press conference. “I have a feeling that we are not going to win all our games. Arsenal, I don’t know.

“But I have this feeling, because FA Cup, Champions League games, then comes trouble. Many, many games. Injuries will come.

“The best way is to relax now and focus on Leeds, then we’ll see. It will depend on our level, it needs to be better, better, better.”

“We have a lot of new players, that’s why they have to live it,” Guardiola added. “I’ve said, forget about it. We have to improve, it’s not enough.

“To compete to win the Premier League you have to be there. We proved ourselves to win the three points but we have to do better to have the chance to do it.

“I say to the guys, ‘Take a lot of caipirinhas and daiquiris in these three days, enjoy life’. And after that, make a proper three training sessions and go to Leeds. That is a proper way.

“I know how difficult it will be. If it doesn’t go well, we keep going, never give up. Ten or 11 games is a lot in the Premier League.”

Despite securing six Premier League titles previously, Guardiola highlighted the lack of experience within the City squad when it comes to title races, whilst also praising the home support during the victory over Newcastle.

“70% of the players never played in that situation and I don’t play. We have to believe it,” Guardiola told TNT Sports.

“They know, we know, that until the end of the season every game will be like this.

“Today we had the best crowd of the year. It was unbelievable. I am really proud to be manager of these incredible fans.”

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