‘Nine points is a lot against Arsenal’ – Guardiola on the title race

‘Nine points is a lot against Arsenal’ – Guardiola on the title race

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has reiterated that if his side fail to win against Chelsea, then their title hopes will be over.

The Blues are entering the weekend nine points behind Arsenal, although they do have two games in hand following Arsenal’s defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday.

With the Gunners set to visit the Etihad next weekend, City’s title hopes are hanging by a thread.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” admitted Guardiola. “The gap is big, I cannot deny it. Nine points, one game in hand, but you have to win it.

“The distance is big, you know. Arsenal, I’m saying now not before the game against them next week, beating Arsenal once is wow. Imagine twice.

“In the Champions League they didn’t lose one game. Won all and drew one. The numbers and the way it’s consistent, solid, and everything, all the details, it’s top.”

The Catalan continued: “Talking about Arsenal, Arsenal, Arsenal. If we don’t win in Stamford Bridge, and that’s not an easy place to go, maybe we don’t need to make the press conference before Arsenal, because it will be over.

“Everybody knows it. You know it, I know it, the players know it, everybody knows it, England knows it. There are so many games left, you have to win all of them. Not one draw, no, forget about it. Nine points is a lot of points against Arsenal.”

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Guardiola also reflected on the campaign so far: “The season in the Premier League is 11 months. In the 11 months, there are a lot of games that we were good, but not good enough to win the games.

“In the past, always we found a way to win the games, playing really, really bad. But we had a way to win games. And this season, we didn’t find.

“So, in terms of points, it’s not comparing the season with Jurgen and Liverpool 90, or Arsenal 90, 89, 80, I don’t know. This season, we have not been the best.

“In the future, we will be ready to be closer, or at least to continue to fight for the Premier League.”

Even if they fall short in the Premier League, City have already claimed silverware this season, after defeating Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final. They also remain in the hunt for the FA Cup, after advancing to the semi-finals last weekend.

City’s boss said: “Now we are not seventh in the Premier League or eighth in the Premier League, so we are second fighting. It’s not a bad season. A bad season was the last one.

“But this season, when you compete until the end and we are arriving again, eighth in a row, semi-finals. Arsenal is a top team, but Arsenal didn’t get to the semi-finals this season. It’s so difficult. We are in our eighth in a row.”

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