Pep Guardiola claims he wants Arsenal to beat Nottingham Forest and let Man City take the title themselves
City are on an 11-game winning streak in the Premier League and have a four-point lead at the top of the table with one game left after the Gunners lost to Brighton last weekend.
Should Arsenal lose to Forest at the City Ground on Saturday, the title will officially go to Manchester. However, Guardiola’s side will be confirmed as champions if they beat Chelsea a day later, regardless of what happens elsewhere.
When asked if he will watch the Arsenal game, the City manager revealed he would like his players to have the opportunity to do the job themselves in front of their home fans at the Etihad.
“I don’t think so, we have a game the next day,” said Guardiola.
“In my opinion, I believe that to become champions we have to win. It would be best to celebrate with our people in the stadium.”
A fifth title in six seasons is all but guaranteed for City and it could prove to be the first of three trophies to be won in a matter of weeks, with the FA Cup and Champions League finals due in early June.
City have appeared almost unbeatable in recent months, beating Real Madrid in Europe and chasing Arsenal in La Liga, and Guardiola has urged his treble-seeking side to remain focused on success, who surprised even him.
“I couldn’t imagine doing what we did in the Premier League with the players and people here,” he said of his attitude upon arrival in England in 2016.
“After five, six, seven games in the Premier League I realized how tough it is. Learn fast, players and teams. Every day was a little better, try to arrive a little better. Do better than yesterday, players feel it and we can achieve it.
“You never think about how it’s going to be at the start of the season. Now we know that we have to win all titles in three games. Every game we win helps for the next one.
“Winning the Premier League as quickly as possible will help the next games, the FA Cup and the Champions League. I want the team to stay focused.”
https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/pep-guardiola-man-city-arsenal-fc-nottingham-forest-premier-league-title-b1082397.html Pep Guardiola claims he wants Arsenal to beat Nottingham Forest and let Man City take the title themselves
