- Manchester City trail leaders Arsenal by six points
- City and Arsenal play each other this Sunday
- Pep Guardiola could be playing mind games
Pep Guardiola has heaped praise on Manchester City’s Premier League title rivals ahead of Sunday’s massive fixture, which will have significant implications on the table.
With only weeks of the season remaining, the Premier League’s top two sides are preparing for what is almost certainly the biggest fixture of the campaign.
City host Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, with the winner taking a commanding position in the title battle ahead of the final few games.
As it stands, Pep Guardiola’s side trail Arsenal by six points, but have a game in hand – against Burnley on Wednesday 22 April – over the Gunners.
Pep Guardiola praises Arsenal despite Bournemouth loss
Speaking after City’s 3-0 win against Chelsea, Guardiola acknowledged his side’s excellent recent form, with big wins against Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea in the Carabao Cup, FA Cup and Premier League.
However, the 55-year-old was quick to put such results into context, praising Arsenal for their consistency over the entire campaign.
He said: “We have done a good three games, but the best team in England so far is Arsenal, the best team in Europe so far is Arsenal because the numbers are there, the consistency they have.”
"The best team so far is Arsenal" 💬
— Premier League (@premierleague) April 13, 2026
Pep Guardiola praising @ManCity's title rivals ahead of their huge match this Sunday pic.twitter.com/b9GtvYjaiI
Given Arsenal have led the title race for virtually the entire season, Guardiola’s comments are not without merit.
Yet recent defeats to City, Southampton and Bournemouth have seen the Gunners miss out on two trophies, and loosen their grip on a third.
Is this just more mind games from the Man City boss?
While some may see Guardiola’s words as simply a sign of respect for City’s title rivals, others will view it as an attempt to pile further pressure onto Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta’s side have finished second in each of the past three Premier League seasons, with the London club accused of crumbling when it matters most.
Pep Guardiola will be as aware as anyone that Arsenal struggle to get over the line in title races. And some of his other recent comments have been telling.
🚨 Pep Guardiola: “One of the secrets we've had as a club is after success, success, success, we were humble enough or calm enough to say: OK what do we have to do to continue being up there”.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 13, 2026
“That is the most difficult thing”. pic.twitter.com/rLqUA9AVRa
The mention of remaining ‘humble’ is a particularly interesting choice of words, and one that may be a thinly veiled swipe at Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and his players.
City preparing for the biggest game of the season
If the trip to Chelsea felt important, this weekend’s game against Arsenal will be season-defining – and you have to feel that the winner will almost certainly lift the Premier League title.
Victory for City would close the gap to three points, and mean they could leapfrog Arsenal into top spot by winning their game in hand.
For Arsenal, meanwhile, a win would re-establish the nine-point lead they had before losing to Bournemouth, and all but end City’s chances of beating them to the title.
