Pep Guardiola: If Man City lose to Arsenal then title race will be over

Pep Guardiola accepted Manchester City’s Premier League title bid will be finished if they lose to Arsenal in Sunday’s crunch clash between the top-two teams.

Arsenal’s nine-point lead was cut to six after their shock defeat at home to Bournemouth was followed by City emphatically winning at Chelsea last weekend, with Guardiola’s side having a game in hand.

City also defeated Arsenal in last month’s Carabao Cup final although Guardiola insisted the Gunners, who have reached the Champions League semi-finals without losing a game, cannot be taken lightly.

The Spaniard added that while an Arsenal win at the Etihad Stadium this weekend would end City’s title challenge, there could still be plenty of twists and turns ahead with half a dozen games left to play.

“Obviously, if we lose it’s over,” Guardiola said. “But there is still games to play. The reality is there are seven games left for us in the Premier League and that is the decisive moment.

“Maybe they are not at their best, but they are the only English team in the Champions League and they have been the best so far. We want to challenge them.

“I said today to the players, it is just a football game and we have to approach it like a football game. If you get distracted by emotions, that is how you lose focus.

“The target is to perform well and that is exactly what you have got to do and all the aspects required to challenge a team like Arsenal. The confidence is good, we are ready.”

Ruben Dias continues to miss out and while there were doubts over Nico O’Reilly, who hobbled off at Stamford Bridge with a hamstring problem, Guardiola revealed the in-form full-back will be available.

Arsenal, seeking their first top-flight crown since the 2003-04 season, have been dogged this season by accusations of pragmatism over excitement and relying on their skill at set-pieces.

“People are so demanding,” Guardiola said. “From the media, supporters, everyone. I enjoy watching them. I learn a lot in many things. People what they want is to win and we’ll fight.

“An aspect that is really, really important that we cannot fight against is 22 years without winning the Premier League. They have something that makes them unique.

“I knew that feeling when we arrived here. I know how you feel that first win. That is something that we cannot play against. That’s why we have to focus on the way we have to play.”

City, who have lost just one of their 15 league matches at home this season, ended Arsenal’s quadruple bid four weeks ago as O’Reilly’s double sealed a 2-0 win at Wembley.

Guardiola, though, is expecting opposite number and his former assistant at City Mikel Arteta to make some alterations.

“If we play like we did for 95 minutes and they do what they did, we are going to win,” Guardiola added. “But I know Mikel a little, they are going to adjust something and we have to be prepared.

“Every year they are getting better and better. Last season Liverpool were incredible but the previous one and this season, Arsenal have been the biggest contender.”