Pep Guardiola insisted there was nothing decisive about Manchester City’s 4-1 win over Premier League rivals Arsenal however acknowledged one thing large had shifted with the title now in his aspect’s palms.
City made mild of a fixture lengthy billed as a high-pressure title decider, with the dynamic play of Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland ripping by the Arsenal defence repeatedly.
City scored 4 – Haaland netting the final after twice organising De Bruyne, who in flip obtained the help on a John Stones header – however might have exceeded that within the first half alone on a dominant evening. Rob Holding’s late aim was slim comfort for the Gunners.
Arsenal nonetheless ended the evening prime of the desk, however their two-point benefit appears significantly susceptible with a City aspect who’ve gained seven in a row within the league boasting two video games in hand.
“It was an important game, not decisive but important,” Guardiola mentioned.
“We played very good. I know the opponent we played. They’re still top, I know it sounds naive what I’m saying but we are still behind. We are still there.”
With the exception of some days in February after City gained 3-1 on the Emirates, Arsenal have topped the Premier League desk because the third week of the season.
City have been taking part in catch up all together with Guardiola calling Arsenal the favourites for the title, however this consequence satisfied the Catalan he and his aspect are lastly within the stronger place.
“Absolutely (I prefer) my position because now it’s in our hands,” he mentioned.
It was an vital sport, not decisive however vital. We performed excellent. I do know the opponent we performed. They’re nonetheless prime, I do know it sounds naive what I’m saying however we’re nonetheless behind. We are nonetheless there
Pep Guardiola
“I would love that these two games are six points but you have to win them, but I prefer it because it depends on us.
“Until today, I prefer the position in the Premier League of Arsenal because if Arsenal had beaten us it’s in their hands. But now it is in our hands.”
For Arsenal this was a fourth straight sport with out a win, with the Gunners showing to wilt simply as City flip up the warmth.
Mikel Arteta admitted his aspect have been second finest on the evening and would possibly now find yourself second finest within the league, however refused to confess defeat in a title race his aspect nonetheless lead, no less than for now.
“The analysis is clear,” Arteta mentioned. “The better team won the game. They were probably at their best, especially in the first half, and we were nowhere near our level. When that happens the gap becomes too big.
“The first 30 minutes all the basic things you have to do against an exceptional team in terms of competing, winning duels, understanding what the game requires, we didn’t do it and we were punished.
“The stats said Arsenal were going to finish sixth or seventh and we are where we are with five games to go. Those players deserve a lot of credit after nine-and-a-half months being here. And there are still five games to play.
“In 22 years in this country I’ve seen a lot of things and there are not two equal games in this league.”
Arsenal have 5 video games remaining and Arteta admitted they would want to win all of them – one thing that may put them on 90 factors – to take the problem to City.
“We first have to lift the players up tonight because they suffer and it was difficult to swallow,” he mentioned.
“Do everything we have done so well in the next match to earn the right to win it. That’s where we have to start.”
