LONDON – Manchester City are still in the running to pick up two trophies at Wembley this season, but manager Pep Guardiola said all his focus is on their English Premier League clash with title rivals Arsenal at the end of March, a match he described as a “final”.

City face Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-finals in April, as well as Real Madrid in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, which has its title decider at Wembley this season.

Guardiola, however, said he was not looking past their next league fixture against Mikel Arteta’s side on March 31.

“One step at a time. We have a final against Arsenal. I don’t want to think too much in the future right now. It’s been an intense period,” he told City’s website.

Guardiola said he hoped all his players return from the international break fit and ready for the match against Arsenal, who lead the league on goal difference from Liverpool, with City a point further back.

“I will not watch the (international) games. I will rest and when they arrive we will see which players survive. When we come back, we will have three days to prepare for the game against Arsenal. Let’s go,” he added.

Former Liverpool defender Phil Thompson said of the match: “I just feel that next round of games when Arsenal and Manchester City play, I think that might have a big bearing on it... I would still think City are the favourites (for the title). We have got a great chance. You feel it. As a Liverpool fan, you feel it, that this Premier League title will come to us.”

Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou said he is more interested in building a competitive team than in finishing in the top four of the Premier League, after his side were beaten 3-0 by Fulham on March 16.

Tottenham would have moved above Aston Villa into fourth place in the standings with a win, but the defeat ensured Postecoglou’s side remained in fifth with 53 points from 28 games. Villa drew their March 17 match with West Ham United 1-1. They have 56 points from 29 games.

Asked if Tottenham could still finish fourth and secure the final Champions League qualifying spot, the Australian said: “I don’t see fourth as the prize...

“Part of the narrative is to push you in these kinds of positions where you think that fourth is some kind of achievement that gives you something for next year.

“Fourth would be great if I feel like we’re growing as a team, and we’re creating something that is going to bring us success next year. But fourth is not our goal... If we finish fifth, and if I think we’ve got a team to challenge next year, then I won’t be disappointed.” REUTERS