Pep Guardiola concedes Premier League title race 'over' if Manchester City defeated by Arsenal in decisive clash

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Pep Guardiola has said the Premier League title race will be ”over” if his Manchester City side lose against Mikel Arteta's Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

'If we lose, it's over' - Guardiola on potential title-defining clash against Arsenal

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The Gunners currently hold a six-point lead over City at the top of the table but have played a game extra, meaning victory for Guardiola’s team would give them the chance to draw level on points when they play their game in hand at Burnley on Wednesday.

However, should City lose against Arsenal, they would only be able to close the gap to six points at Turf Moor with five games left to play and Guardiola believes that would be too great a deficit to overcome.

Asked if Sunday’s game is like a final, the City boss said: ”Obviously, if we lose, it's over. But the other two results, Arsenal didn't beat Bournemouth, and there is still games to play.

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”Six games is a lot in our calendar, especially. Still many things to do. The reality is there are seven games left for us in the Premier League and that is the decisive moment."

Guardiola will be hoping Sunday's match resembles the recent Carabao Cup final between the pair, with City running out 2-0 winners at Wembley to claim the first major piece of silverware this season.

The game was goalless at the break before being decided by a second-half double from Nico O'Reilly, who Guardiola confirmed "is fine" for the weekend, following doubts over his fitness.

It was a convincing display from City at Wembley, particularly in the second period, and Guardiola is confident a similar performance would do the trick on Sunday.

Discussing the recent final, he said: "If we play like the second half during 95 minutes, and they play like the second half, we are going to win. Well, maybe not because football is unpredictable, but it will be closer. That is what we want.

"I know Mikel. They are going to adjust something and we have to prepare to do it. In the end, it is more simple. It is how your players individually win the me-against-you and how they are able to do it."

Despite the obvious disappointment for The Gunners in that contest, they will be desperate for a result this Sunday in their pursuit of a first title since 2004 and ending a run of three successive second-placed finishes.

"We will be ready. I do not know how we will approach," Guardiola said, as he continued to reflect on the importance of last month's clash between the teams.

"It was a final, this is the Premier League. The Carabao Cup is important but the Premier League is much more. Twenty-two years without winning. If I give you the game of absolutes, that if they win, it will be over - there is a mental aspect.

"Of course, we respect them so much and the quality they have - I have no doubts about that, but it's about how we approach tactically and mentally. That is all I am concerned about."

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'I enjoy watching them' - Guardiola on Arsenal

However, Guardiola believes the fuel Arsenal have to end a 22-year wait without a Premier League title could prove a major factor in Sunday's encounter, with the City head coach saying his players cannot focus on that element.

"People are so demanding. From the media, supporters, everyone. I enjoy watching them. I learn a lot in many things," he said.

"People, what they want is to win, and we'll fight. An aspect that is really, really important that we cannot fight against is 22 years without winning the Premier League.

"They have something that makes them unique. I know that. I knew that feeling when we arrived here.

"For a long time, we didn't win the Premier League. Manuel [Pellegrini] and [Roberto] Mancini did it but for our era I would say, I know how you feel that first win.

"That is something that we cannot play against. That's why we have to focus on the way we have to play."

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