Pep Guardiola does not want to focus on Arsenal’s trip to Manchester United on Sunday, instead laying down a challenge to his players to keep their destiny in their own hands.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola gives instructions to the players in a break in play against Fulham.
Pep Guardiola challenged his Manchester City players to keep their destiny in their own hands at Tottenham this week, rather than rely on Arsenal to drop points against Manchester United on Sunday.
City could head to Tottenham knowing a win will seal the title, but that would only happen if Arsenal don’t beat United. Guardiola has previously said he expects Arsenal to win their remaining two games, meaning City must win all of theirs to be champions. After beating Fulham, City’s task is now two wins this week to retain their crown.
Guardiola dismissed the relevance of goal difference in the title race, pointing to the fact that for City and Arsenal to finish level on points they would have to draw and Arsenal would have to win both games this week, which would work against the Blues further.
But Guardiola did tell his players that beating Tottenham will keep the destiny in their own hands until the final day – just like two seasons ago against Aston Villa on the final day.
“Since they [Arsenal] lost against Aston Villa, the destiny is in our hands, we have to handle it,” he said. “What we want is that. That moment vs Aston Villa [in 2022], for the last game vs West Ham, the destiny is our hands. It’s what we want.
“We have to win all the games including the ones in the past, especially the ones at Forest with no recovery. Today [Fulham] is always tough. We won this season at Spurs in the FA Cup but we never won there [in the Premier League], so it will be difficult but we’re ready for the challenge.”
Guardiola also backed his players to thrive under the pressure they will be under going into this final week.
“I had the feeling they like to play with pressure. Some teams they are used to this, they have incredible personalities,” he said..
“Manu [Akanji], Ruben [Dias], Kyle [Walker], Eddy, Rodri and Kova. Phil [Foden]. Players who enjoy playing with that pressure. Otherwise you know that if you don’t play to that level and if you lose the game you lose the Premier League.
“We have known it for many years. Always the same. Don’t think anything other than the next game. See what happens. Go to London, perform well, try to win the game.”