Manchester City: Guardiola calls the clash against Arsenal decisive

On the eve of the clash against Arsenal, Pep Guardiola did not hide the crucial importance of the match for Manchester City in the Premier League title race. The Cityzens host the Gunners on Sunday in a top-tier duel. Currently leading the championship, Arsenal have a six-point lead over Guardiola’s men, who nonetheless have a game in hand. In this context, the Spanish coach is clear-eyed: a defeat would seriously complicate his team’s ambitions. « If we lose, it will be over. But depending on the other results, and knowing that Arsenal has not beaten AFC Bournemouth, there will still be matches to play», he said.

A win for the Londoners would widen the gap that’s hard to close, while a Mancunian victory would totally rekindle the suspense, by allowing City to come within three points. In the first leg, the two teams were level (1-1) at the Emirates Stadium. But the reigning champions remain on a convincing win over Arsenal (2-0) in the Carabao Cup final, a victory that fuels their confidence ahead of the sprint to the finish. A decisive rendezvous, looking like a turning point in the race for the crown.