Pep Guardiola warns that Crystal Palace could upset Arsenal on the Premier League's final day. Despite their inconsistent form, Palace's professionalism is highlighted as a key factor.
Key points
Pep Guardiola warns Crystal Palace could upset Arsenal
Manchester City is five points behind Arsenal
Crystal Palace secured a place in the UEFA Europa Conference League Final
Final day of Premier League fixtures is significant for title race
Crystal PalaceArsenalManchester CityUEFA Europa Conference League
Crystal Palace can upset Arsenal on the Premier League final day, warns Pep Guardiola
Crystal Palace can upset Arsenal on the Premier League final day, warns Pep Guardiola
Manchester City currently sit five points behind Arsenal with a game in hand as they head into their final three matches of the season.
Despite a inconsistent domestic run, Crystal Palace have secured a place in the UEFA Europa Conference League Final against Rayo Vallecano on May 27.
Guardiola dismisses suggestions that Palace will switch off against Arsenal on the final day, citing the elite professionalism of Oliver Glasner’s squad.
Manchester City can retain hope going into the final day of Premier League fixtures in a fortnight’s time, insists Pep Guardiola.
The title race has reached it crescendo following Arsenal’s narrow victory over West Ham last weekend, with the Gunners having now established a five-point cushion at the summit of the division.
However, Manchester City’s game in hand – a crucial home clash against Crystal Palace this Wednesday – represents the first of three finals for the club, retaining hope of a favour from either Burnley or the Eagles in Arsenal’s remaining contests.
Q&A
What did Pep Guardiola say about Crystal Palace's chances against Arsenal?
Pep Guardiola warned that Crystal Palace could upset Arsenal on the final day of the Premier League season.
How many points behind Arsenal is Manchester City?
Manchester City is currently five points behind Arsenal with a game in hand.
When is the UEFA Europa Conference League Final featuring Crystal Palace?
The UEFA Europa Conference League Final featuring Crystal Palace is scheduled for May 27.
What is the significance of the final day of the Premier League for Manchester City?
The final day of the Premier League is crucial for Manchester City as they aim to retain hope in the title race.
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Pep Guardiola’s men are firmly in the knowledge that any further slip-up effectively hands the crown to Mikel Arteta’s side, while the narrative in South London is dominated by Oliver Glasner’s impending departure and a historic European run.
Crystal Palace have defied odds to reach the Conference League final in Leipzig, with Guardiola quick to remind his players and fans that Selhurst Park remains one of the most volatile environments for title challengers, with Arsenal scheduled to visit on the final day.
Pep Guardiola praises Crystal Palace and Oliver Glasner
Looking ahead to Manchester City’s clash with Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Wednesday night, Pep Guardiola said of the South London club, “Always it has been a tough game since Patrick Vieira or Roy Hodgson especially, and now Oliver [Glasner].
“They have a European final, so maybe struggled a little bit in the Premier League with a lot of changes, the manager is leaving as announced from a long time ago, and maybe they were not consistent but the quality is there, the patterns are there.”
Discussing manager Oliver Glasner in particular, Guardiola said, “Well in Germany he made an incredible job, an experienced manager, and no doubts.
“Top team with as they’ve had in the past with [Michael] Olise, [Jean-Philippe] Mateta, [Eberechi] Eze, [Adam] Wharton, Marc [Guehi], [Daniel] Munoz, clear patterns, really, really good and tough to beat. Always it has been!”
Pep Guardiola’s Arsenal warning ahead of final day
Arsenal will travel to Selhurst Park on the final day of the Premier League season, hoping that it could be the day they clinch the English top-flight crown, should they defeat Burnley and Manchester City continue to win their remaining matches until then.
On whether Palace could heavily rotate their line-up in the knowledge that they have a major European final just days later, Guardiola insisted, “They are so professional, the teams.
“Crystal Palace will play top against us, we saw Leeds yesterday against Spurs how even being out of the relegation battle, they are in the Premier League again and how they compete.
“We’ve played here against Aston Villa in the past or West Ham with nothing to play for, and it was so difficult. So I’m pretty sure they’ll do their best [against Arsenal] knowing that, of course, they have the [UEFA Europa Conference League] final three days later.”
“What you cannot control, forget about it” – Pep Guardiola’s honest title race message to Manchester City squad
The logistics of Crystal Palace’s schedule could play a massive role in the destination of the Premier League trophy, with the Conference League final set for just 72 hours after a meeting with Arsenal at home on the final weekend of the English top-flight campaign.
While Pep Guardiola preaches caution, the reality of player preservation is a factor that Manchester City fans will be watching closely, but if Palace can take points off the Gunners, it may open the door for City to complete a dramatic final day heist.
City must first take care of their business, knowing they must certainly defeat Crystal Palace at home this week, before doing the same against Bournemouth on the South Coast just days after the FA Cup final against Chelsea, and Aston Villa at home on the final day.
