Guardiola hints Arsenal choked in title race as City close to Prem glory

Pep Guardiola has hinted that Arsenal bottled the Premier League title race. The Manchester City boss says that his side wouldn’t have caught up with the Gunners if they hadn’t lost their ‘rhythm’ at such a crucial time.

Arsenal looked firmly on track to secure their first Premier League title in nine years last month, sitting eight points clear of City in the table. But points dropped to Liverpool, West Ham and Southampton allowed the reigning champions back into the title race before their fate was sealed by a 4-1 thumping at the Etihad. 

Man City are now just one win away from clinching the title. Speaking in a press conference ahead of Man City’s Sunday fixture against Chelsea, Guardiola discussed the importance of the mentality of the two sides down the home straight.

“They show many times, we talk about mentality because we won,” he said. “I don’t believe, I defend the team when we lose. Last year we didn’t have the mentality vs Real Madrid. We have the same mentality.

“To recover eight points, Arsenal first we have a game in hand, it was fake. We knew we had to win the game and they drop points. If Arsenal maintain the rhythm of the first leg, it wouldn’t be possible. They drop points and we were there. It means a lot to us.”

Reminding everyone that City consistently deliver in big moments, he added: “We have done it many times, we cannot deny, Champions League semi-final, the best team in this competitions. They have done 11 semi-finals in 13 years (Real Madrid).

“Do it against them gives us confidence and credit. We have done it against Arsenal, Liverpool, United, the big teams at home. We feel we are strong, confident with our people.”

City remain on course to secure a sensational treble this season. If they continue playing the way they have been recently then they would surely be considered favourites to win the Champions League, FA Cup and Premier League.

With a win on Sunday, City will have the opportunity to focus their attention on resting key players ahead of a congested closing schedule. After their final three Premier League fixtures, City play United in the FA Cup final before travelling to Istanbul to face Inter Milan a week later trying to win the coveted Champions League trophy for the first time.