Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola believes Arsenal have reached the same level as Liverpool during their previous Premier League title battles.
Defending champions City currently trail the Gunners by a point but crucially have three games still to play compared to Arsenal’s two.
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It is the second consecutive season Mikel Arteta’s men have been involved in a title race with the seven-time Premier League winners, winning 26 of their 36 league games.
“They have been the same level of Liverpool those years,” said the City boss of Arsenal.
“The same level, both teams [Liverpool and Arsenal]. They have both been incredible.”
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London calling
Fulham are the next side who stand in the way of City’s pursuit of a sixth title in seven years.
The Citizens can pile the pressure on Arsenal with victory in the Saturday lunch-time clash at Craven Cottage, with the North Londoners travelling to Manchester United a day later.
But Guardiola knows the threat Marco Silva’s men can pose, despite the Cottagers now battling for nothing more than a top-half finish.
On his opposing manager, the Catalan boss said: “Excellent. Not only this season, he was promoted with Fulham playing excellent football last season really well.
“His defences are really good and I admire him a lot.
“He had some problems at Everton, but at Fulham his impact is there.”
Rodri snub
City duo Phil Foden and Erling Haaland were both recently nominated for the Premier League’s Player of the Season award but the omission of Rodri has sparked some criticism.
“The nominees deserve it. The winner of the trophy deserves it, the list is huge so everyone is important,” Guardiola said when asked of his midfielder’s snub.
“Rodri knows what we think about the importance of him and the extraordinary player he is.
“He should not be worrying about that.”
Rodri has the same number of defeats as Player of the Season nominations in the Premier League this season (0). 🤪
He's the only player with:
◉ 20+ shots on target
◉ 20+ chances created
◉ 20+ aerial duels won
◉ 20+ take-ons completed
◉ 20+ tackles made
◉ 20+ interceptions… pic.twitter.com/Kj9MiPCIuN— Squawka (@Squawka) May 9, 2024
‘Situation is clear’
Arsenal boss Arteta knows City have the upper hand in the title race but says his side’s task in the final two games is clear.
Ahead of visiting Old Trafford, the Spaniard said: “It leaves us in a very clear situation. We have to focus and do what have to do to be in the best possible situation.
“That’s what we are doing. We have to think that it is going to work and we can be better than our opponent and beat them.
“The final outcome might be something else, but that is not in our control.”
