Pep Guardiola says Man City’s win over Arsenal only brings hope, not the title, as the Premier League race tightens with five games left
PEP Guardiola insists Manchester City’s vital 2-1 victory over Arsenal has only given his side “hope” in the Premier League title race.
City are now three points behind the leaders but hold a game in hand on Mikel Arteta’s side.
“We are there, but the reality is what? Who is the top of the league? We are not,” Guardiola said after the match at the Etihad Stadium.
The win makes City favourites for a seventh league title under Guardiola with momentum firmly in their favour.
Arsenal have now lost their last four games in all domestic competitions.
Even if City win their game in hand against Burnley, the sides will only be level on points with five games remaining.
Guardiola emphasised the need for focus, stating his team must proceed “step-by-step”.
Erling Haaland struck the decisive winner 25 minutes from time in a game of fine margins.
Arsenal hit the post twice in the second half, either side of Haaland’s strike.
Kai Havertz also missed two glorious chances for the visitors during the tense encounter.
Rayan Cherki’s sensational solo run and finish had given City an early lead.
That advantage was almost immediately wiped out when Havertz charged down an attempted clearance by Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Guardiola reserved special praise for Bernardo Silva, who recently announced he will depart at the end of the season.
“You have to write the word legend in capital letters for him, not for today but for every single game during nine years,” Guardiola added.
He described Silva as a “special player” whose future team will be “so lucky”.
