Guardiola: Title Race Will ‘Clearly’ End If Man City Falls to Arsenal

City currently sits six points behind Arsenal but do have a game in hand. A win would narrow the gap and increase the pressure as the title race reaches its critical juncture.

Guardiola acknowledged there is little margin for error, admitting that anything less than a full three points would leave his side with an uphill battle.

“Yes, of course,” the Spaniard responded when asked if he considers this fixture a final. “If we lose, it’s over.”

“We are prepared”

Despite the stakes, Guardiola expressed confidence in his squad, emphasising that belief is paramount at this point in the season.

“If you could purchase confidence in a supermarket, we would buy it right away. It’s one of the key elements,” he stated during a press conference. “Our confidence is good. We are prepared.”

“A month ago, after we dropped points at crucial times, I thought we wouldn’t be in this position. But then we looked at the calendar and realised we faced Arsenal at home. It’s a six-point gap. It’s not trivial, but we have the chance to close it.”

“That’s the reality we find ourselves in. It all comes down to our performance, and everything will be revealed on Sunday. Our fans have sold out the stadium; everything is set for an exciting match.”

Guardiola confirmed that Nico O’Reilly, who netted twice in City’s 2-0 League Cup final victory over Arsenal, is fit to play after exiting last weekend’s match against Chelsea with a left hamstring concern.

This remarkable victory is part of a strong run for City, which includes a 4-0 triumph over Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals. They have remained unbeaten in the league since mid-January.

City’s recent performances have begun to unsettle Arsenal supporters.

“If we play like we did in the second half of the League Cup final for the full 95 minutes, and they replicate their second half, we will likely win. Well, perhaps not, because football can be quite unpredictable,” Guardiola remarked.

“I’m aware of (Arsenal manager) Mikel (Arteta). They will modify their tactics, and we must be ready for that. Ultimately, it’s more straightforward; it’s about how your players individually handle their matchups.”

Not the underdogs

Guardiola insisted that City must elevate their performance if they are to maintain a serious title challenge in the concluding weeks.

“We need to improve even further,” he stated. “The first half against Chelsea (a 3-0 victory on Sunday) wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t outstanding either. The first 30 minutes against Liverpool was subpar as well. Arsenal were the better side in the initial 30 minutes of the final.”

“You can’t expect top teams to be perfect for 90 or 95 minutes, but this aspect isn’t about the future, present, or past; it’s about confidence, which is a crucial factor.”

When asked if City are viewed as underdogs, Guardiola downplayed the notion. “I comprehend your angle, but perhaps we’re not,” he replied. “Arsenal have performed exceptionally thus far, but we are keen to contest them.”

“I reminded the players today that it’s merely a football match, and we must approach it as such. If you allow emotions to distract you, that’s when you lose your focus.”

Guardiola expressed pride in City’s ongoing pursuit of multiple trophies, even if Sunday’s outcome could prove critical.

“We’ll see how it unfolds,” he said. “But it’s never over until it’s over, and we are still in the race. I take pride in the fact that we remain competitive.”