Premier League title ‘really really close’ now for Manchester City, says Pep Guardiola

LONDON – Like a sky-blue juggernaut, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City have begun to fill Arsenal’s rear-view mirror and on Wednesday the reigning champions have the chance to

begin their overtaking manoeuvre

on the road to a fifth Premier League title in six years.

While treble-chasing City have been churning out the wins, just as they usually do at the business end of a season, Arsenal’s young pretenders have been struck by vertigo.

The Gunners could have been going to City with a double-digit points lead but after surrendering 2-0 leads to draw consecutive away games 2-2 at Liverpool and West Ham United, they were then held to a frenzied 3-3 draw by bottom club Southampton last Friday.

The results meant that Mikel Arteta’s side still lead City by five points, but crucially, they have played two games more. This means that a draw would be enough for City if they can win the remainder of their matches.

“It’s really important. (But) not decisive,” Guardiola said, ahead of the big clash at Etihad Stadium.

“A lot of tough games for both sides still but we can’t deny how important it is.

“Now I get that feeling because it’s really, really close, to arrive at this point in the league to have the chances in the hands. But they (Arsenal) have the chance too – the destiny will be in their hands if they win. But if we win, destiny will be in our hands in the seven games we have left.

“It’s a really important game because we can get points. We played two times this season (1-0 win in the FA Cup and 3-1 victory at Arsenal). They have been really tight games and really difficult.”

When asked about his game plan, he did not give anything away, but said: “When you play against these type of teams, they control everything. Arsenal always have incredible details and care with the ball. The players are of the highest quality and skills. They are so aggressive.

“In the two games we played this season, we felt it and you have to challenge them on those terms.”

According to statistician Simon Gleave of data company Gracenote, Arsenal’s draw with Southampton left them with a 21 per cent chance of dethroning City, while Guardiola’s side now have a 79 per cent probability of finishing top.

Arsenal have lost their last seven meetings with City in all competitions and have not won away to them in the league since 2015.

The Citizens have chipped away at Arsenal’s lead while also progressing to the semi-finals of the Champions League and on Saturday reached the FA Cup final after easing past Sheffield United 3-0.

Such is the quality and depth of Guardiola’s squad that few doubt their ability to chase only the second treble – the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League titles – by an English side following Manchester United in 1999.

United

stand in their way of winning the FA Cup,

while City have to get past Real Madrid and then either Inter Milan or AC Milan to clinch their maiden Champions League.

They were able to make six changes to their starting line-up against the Blades, and goal machine Erling Haaland was subbed off early along with Jack Grealish as City set their sights on a classic “six-pointer” with Arsenal.

The odds will be in their favour on Wednesday, as they have won all 11 of their games at the Etihad in 2023, scoring 40 goals in the process.

Key player Haaland is just two goals away from matching the all-time Premier League record of 34 goals in a season and racking up 50 in all competitions in his first campaign in English football.

“I’ve said many times. We have been very impressed with how he’s behaved, his mood and his love for the club. Exceptional,” added Guardiola of Haaland.

City will be heading into the match with the only major injury doubt being defender Nathan Ake. AFP