MANCHESTER, England (AP):
For Pep Guardiola, it’s cut and dried.
“Obviously if we lose, yes it’s over,” the Manchester City manager said about Sunday’s English Premier League (EPL) title showdown with Arsenal.
Sitting six points behind Arsenal with a game in hand, Guardiola acknowledged there were no more second chances for his players.
Reflecting on a title race when City have been the chasers, Guardiola said he felt after a seven-day span in early January when his team drew with Sunderland, Chelsea and Brighton in consecutive games that City had “missed the chance” to catch Arsenal.
He felt similar at the start of March when City drew back-to-back games with relegation contenders Nottingham Forest and West Ham.
“We said, ’Uh, it’s run away (from us),” Guardiola said yesterday. “But it’s never over until it’s over, and we are still here.”
That’s as much to do with some fragility within Arsenal’s squad as City’s own improving form.
Mikel Arteta’s team has lost three of its last five matches, though just one of those games were in the league – a 2-1 defeat at home to Bournemouth on Saturday.
Arsenal – the runners-up the past three seasons – are attempting to become English champions for the first time since 2004, when the team coached at that time by Arsene Wenger went the entire league campaign unbeaten.
“We are fighting an aspect that is really, really important and one that we cannot fight against – it’s 22 years without winning the Premier League,” Guardiola said. “With that aspect, we cannot fight. It’s something that makes it unique (for Arsenal).”
City might be in their best form this season after winning their last three games in all competitions: 2-0 over Arsenal in the League Cup final, 4-0 over Liverpool in the FA Cup, and 3-0 at Chelsea in the league.
Guardiola said the confidence is clear to see among his players.
“It’s an incredible aspect for managers,” he said. “If you could buy it in a supermarket, we would go there and buy it immediately.
“It’s one of the most important aspects and of course the results help us. The reality is, there are seven games left in the Premier League and this is a decisive moment.”
PRIVILEGE, NOT PRESSURE
Asked about the pressure his team was under, Arteta said: “Who is more privileged to be in this position, I think that is the question.
“I feel very privileged, I don’t know how Pep or Man City are feeling. But it’s a privilege to have earned the right to be in this position to play in such a big, great game.”
Arsenal have drawn their last two league games at the Etihad and Arteta said he was preparing for the game “to win it”.
“It will incline the balance a little bit,” Arteta said of the title boost a victory would give his team, “but winning a game in the Premier League is so tough for everybody so after this one there will be still difficult matches for all of us.”
INJURY NEWS
Arteta said Bukayo Saka would miss the game because of injury but that fellow right winger Noni Madueke “could be available” after coming off during the Champions League match with Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday because of a suspected knee issue.
If Madueke doesn’t make it, Arteta said he would have no qualms picking 16-year-old revelation Max Dowman in such a big game.
“He will be ready, I’m sure,” Arteta said. “You throw him in any context, this kid, and you know what he is going to be delivering. He has shown that this season.”
Guardiola said left back Nico O’Reilly was “fine” after coming off injured in the second half against Chelsea last weekend.
