Following Manchester City’s dominant 4-1 home victory against Arsenal, which gave them sole possession of the Premier League, Pep Guardiola was convinced that the last three games will determine the title fight.
With only seven games left, Man City, who is still two points behind Arsenal but has a two-game lead over their London rivals, has taken control of the momentum.
A brace from Kevin De Bruyne, along with goals from John Stones and Erling Haaland, solidified Pep Guardiola’s team’s dominating home performance. However, Pep Guardiola was quick to focus on the critical games that lie ahead as City looks to capitalize on their games in hand over their London rivals.
I know the next three games are really important.
Fulham on Sunday, what Marco Silva has done this season is incredible, and then after the two games at home against West Ham and Leeds, these games will dictate the season.
The reality today is we are behind Arsenal, they are two points in front of us.
Pep Guardiola said.
As his team has now defeated Arsenal in 12 straight league games, Pep Guardiola praised the overwhelming style of his team’s triumph.
From the first minute we were incredibly focused.
The guys responded unbelievably in an important game – not decisive, but really important.
We are back-to-back Premier League winners so in September, October, when you lose a game you say you have time but Arsenal were not like that. When we arrive in the last two months, the players know it’s close and if we lose, we have no chance.
As a player, playing with that mentality that there is no other option but to win, that is the best way to approach the games. In the last two months, the players showed that every game we try to win and move forward.
He said.
Stones suggested that the experience of Man City’s team was a big part in the decisive victory. Stones’ header gave City a vital second goal on the cusp of halftime.
We’ve been through tough moments and situations at this stage of the season in the past, and it’s done us so well – we know how to cope and what to do in different scenarios.
Everyone’s been there and everyone has that hunger. Day’s like today there is a lot of pressure from the outside, but we know our jobs and what is asked of us on the pitch and that experience helps in those big pressure moments.
Stones said.
Pep Guardiola has credited the club’s board of directors and the caliber of his players for his extraordinary success at the Manchester City and will now try to lead his team to their fifth league championship in six years.
This club gave me everything, from the hierarchy.
I remember the first season when we didn’t win, they supported me unconditionally. We were lucky as a team with how the way Liverpool pushed us in the previous seasons and this season, Arsenal — they got 50 points in the first half of the season. We want to win, why should we stop, it’s not necessary.
I’ve been at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester City. The incredible qualities of the players I have had at my disposal — it’s work ethic, the rest is quality.
Pep Guardiola said.