Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola said Arsenal must slip up in their final three Premier League fixtures if the London club hopes to retain the title. Guardiola made the comments after City’s 3‑0 victory over Brentford at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
City opened the match brightly but failed to break the deadlock in the first half. In the second half, Jeremy Doku opened the scoring, followed by Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush, securing three points and moving the club to within two points of league leaders Arsenal, who travel to West Ham United on Sunday.
When questioned about the likelihood of another shift in the title race, Guardiola replied that he could not predict the outcome. “Arsenal have been at the top of the league almost the whole season and are unbeaten in the Champions League,” he said. “They would have to drop points but it’s not really up to us.”
Guardiola highlighted City’s recent form, noting the team’s consistency over the past ten to eleven games. “I think we’ve won everything except Everton in the last 10, 11 games… This team has done what has to be done,” he added.
The manager’s remarks come as the Premier League approaches its climax, with both City and Arsenal positioned to contest the championship. Arsenal, currently on a strong run, will look to maintain their unbeaten record in the league and European competition, while City will aim to capitalize on their momentum and close the two‑point gap.
City’s win was their seventh consecutive league victory, extending a run that has seen them dominate possession and create numerous scoring opportunities. Doku’s goal, his first for the club, demonstrated his growing importance in Guardiola’s attacking pattern. Haaland, the league’s leading scorer, added his 30th Premier League goal of the season, reinforcing his reputation as a decisive striker. Marmoush’s late strike completed the clean sheet and underscored City’s depth in attacking options.
Arsenal’s upcoming match at the London Stadium against West Ham will be pivotal. A win would increase their cushion at the top, while a slip would tighten the race. City’s next fixture is against Liverpool, a match that could further narrow the margin or widen the gap, depending on the result.
Both managers are expected to focus on consistency and squad rotation as the season draws to a close. Guardiola emphasized that his team has executed the tasks required to stay in contention, while Arsenal’s coach remains confident in his side’s ability to maintain their lead.
The final weeks of the Premier League will determine whether Manchester City can overtake Arsenal or if the Gunners will secure back‑to‑back titles. Readers can follow upcoming matches for updates on the evolving title race.
