pep guardiola arsenal

Guardiola says Arsenal still in control, but victory gives Manchester City hope Pep Guardiola patrolled the touchline in Sunday’s pivotal 2-1 Premier League win over Arsenal virtually heading, shooting and throwing his body at seemingly every ball, but when it was over, the City manager reduced the night to a single ‌word: hope.Guardiola’s prized poacher Erling Haaland struck the second-half winner in a victory that slashed the gap at the top of the table to ⁠three points, with City having a game in hand.Guardiola, who was wildly animated all night, scoffed when asked if he enjoyed the game.“Enjoying I don’t think is the right word,” the Spaniard said. “It’s ‌fine. Hope, that game gave us hope. That’s all.“I said to the guys after the game, enjoy the moment, but don’t lose the focus right ‌now. We are there, but the reality is who is the top of the ‌league? ⁠We are not,” Guardiola added.“Goal difference (if the two teams finish even on ⁠points), who is better? They are. But of course, we’ve got hope, to still extend the chance to fight and to live.”Guardiola has made a habit of breaking Arsenal’s hearts, his Manchester City sides stalking them through spring before unleashing relentless late-season surges ‌that turn belief into dread and title races into familiar blue victories.ALSO READ | Premier League title race starts now, says defiant ArtetaHe described Sunday’s bruising contest as worthy of the title race, praising Arsenal’s resilience and physical edge.“People say they don’t have momentum,” he said. “When you see them play and compete in ‌duels, long balls, second balls and set pieces, they are an extraordinary team. Otherwise you cannot be top of the league all season.”The City manager called the clash “the best advert worldwide and for England.”In the heart of ⁠the storm was Haaland, back scoring in the league for the first time in two months and locked in a ferocious duel with Arsenal defenders William Saliba and Gabriel.A tussle with ‌Gabriel left Haaland’s shirt badly torn and he tossed it into the crowd.“I would not like to be Erling Haaland and battle with William Saliba and Gabriel,” Guardiola said with a smile. “To be honest, I prefer to read a book.”Haaland embraced the chaos“I think it’s always like this, a lot of fighting,” the 25-year-old Norwegian said. “It’s up to others to decide if I won that battle or not. I scored the goal, so I ‌won the battle in that moment. It was decisive, and we win.” In the heart of ⁠the storm was Haaland, back scoring in the league for the first time in two months and locked in a ferocious duel with Arsenal defenders William Saliba and Gabriel.
| Photo Credit:
AP

In the heart of ⁠the storm was Haaland, back scoring in the league for the first time in two months and locked in a ferocious duel with Arsenal defenders William Saliba and Gabriel.
| Photo Credit:
AP
Guardiola said the striker’s mid-season scoring drought reflected the toll of a relentless campaign.“A guy so big, playing every three days during November, December, January, February, to sustain that with his ⁠body, it’s not easy,” he said.Guardiola ended the night by saluting captain Bernardo Silva, who will ⁠leave at season’s end after nine years at City.“If I talk a lot one day I cry,” Guardiola said. “So I just say thank you from the ‌deep of my heart. When we write ‘the legend,’ it has to be in capital letters. He’s a special, special player.”City will draw level on points with Arsenal, and dislodge them from the top of the table, with a victory at 19th-placed Burnley on Wednesday.Published on Apr 20, 2026 #Guardiola #Arsenal #control #victory #Manchester #City #hope — In the heart of ⁠the storm was Haaland, back scoring in the league for the first time in two months and locked in a ferocious duel with Arsenal defenders William Saliba and Gabriel. | Photo Credit: AP

#Guardiola #Arsenal #control #victory #Manchester #City #hope">

April 20, 2026

Sports news

Pep Guardiola patrolled the touchline in Sunday’s pivotal 2-1 Premier League win over Arsenal virtually heading, shooting and throwing his body at seemingly every ball, but when it was over, the City manager reduced the night to a single ‌word: hope.
Guardiola’s prized poacher Erling Haaland struck the second-half winner in a victory that slashed the gap at the top of the table to ⁠three points, with City having a game in hand.
Guardiola, who was wildly animated all night, scoffed when asked if he enjoyed the game.
“Enjoying I don’t think is the right word,” the Spaniard said. “It’s ‌fine. Hope, that game gave us hope. That’s all.
“I said to the guys after the game, enjoy the moment, but don’t lose the focus right ‌now. We are there, but the reality is who is the top of the ‌league? ⁠We are not,” Guardiola added.
“Goal difference (if the two teams finish even on ⁠points), who is better? They are. But of course, we’ve got hope, to still extend the chance to fight and to live.”
Guardiola has made a habit of breaking Arsenal’s hearts, his Manchester City sides stalking them through spring before unleashing relentless late-season surges ‌that turn belief into dread and title races into familiar blue victories.
ALSO READ | Premier League title race starts now, says defiant Arteta
He described Sunday’s bruising contest as worthy of the title race, praising Arsenal’s resilience and physical edge.
“People say they don’t have momentum,” he said. “When you see them play and compete in ‌duels, long balls, second balls and set pieces, they are an extraordinary team. Otherwise you cannot be top of the league all season.”
The City manager called the clash “the best advert worldwide and for England.”
In the heart of ⁠the storm was Haaland, back scoring in the league for the first time in two months and locked in a ferocious duel with Arsenal defenders William Saliba and Gabriel.
A tussle with ‌Gabriel left Haaland’s shirt badly torn and he tossed it into the crowd.
“I would not like to be Erling Haaland and battle with William Saliba and Gabriel,” Guardiola said with a smile. “To be honest, I prefer to read a book.”
Haaland embraced the chaos
“I think it’s always like this, a lot of fighting,” the 25-year-old Norwegian said. “It’s up to others to decide if I won that battle or not. I scored the goal, so I ‌won the battle in that moment. It was decisive, and we win.”
In the heart of ⁠the storm was Haaland, back scoring in the league for the first time in two months and locked in a ferocious duel with Arsenal defenders William Saliba and Gabriel. | Photo Credit: AP
In the heart of ⁠the storm was Haaland, back scoring in the league for the first time in two months and locked in a ferocious duel with Arsenal defenders William Saliba and Gabriel. | Photo Credit: AP
Guardiola said the striker’s mid-season scoring drought reflected the toll of a relentless campaign.
“A guy so big, playing every three days during November, December, January, February, to sustain that with his ⁠body, it’s not easy,” he said.
Guardiola ended the night by saluting captain Bernardo Silva, who will ⁠leave at season’s end after nine years at City.
“If I talk a lot one day I cry,” Guardiola said. “So I just say thank you from the ‌deep of my heart. When we write ‘the legend,’ it has to be in capital letters. He’s a special, special player.”
City will draw level on points with Arsenal, and dislodge them from the top of the table, with a victory at 19th-placed Burnley on Wednesday.
Published on Apr 20, 2026

#Guardiola #Arsenal #control #victory #Manchester #City #hope">Guardiola says Arsenal still in control, but victory gives Manchester City hope

Pep Guardiola patrolled the touchline in Sunday’s pivotal 2-1 Premier League win over Arsenal virtually heading, shooting and throwing his body at seemingly every ball, but when it was over, the City manager reduced the night to a single ‌word: hope.

Guardiola’s prized poacher Erling Haaland struck the second-half winner in a victory that slashed the gap at the top of the table to ⁠three points, with City having a game in hand.

Guardiola, who was wildly animated all night, scoffed when asked if he enjoyed the game.

“Enjoying I don’t think is the right word,” the Spaniard said. “It’s ‌fine. Hope, that game gave us hope. That’s all.

“I said to the guys after the game, enjoy the moment, but don’t lose the focus right ‌now. We are there, but the reality is who is the top of the ‌league? ⁠We are not,” Guardiola added.

“Goal difference (if the two teams finish even on ⁠points), who is better? They are. But of course, we’ve got hope, to still extend the chance to fight and to live.”

Guardiola has made a habit of breaking Arsenal’s hearts, his Manchester City sides stalking them through spring before unleashing relentless late-season surges ‌that turn belief into dread and title races into familiar blue victories.

ALSO READ | Premier League title race starts now, says defiant Arteta

He described Sunday’s bruising contest as worthy of the title race, praising Arsenal’s resilience and physical edge.

“People say they don’t have momentum,” he said. “When you see them play and compete in ‌duels, long balls, second balls and set pieces, they are an extraordinary team. Otherwise you cannot be top of the league all season.”

The City manager called the clash “the best advert worldwide and for England.”

In the heart of ⁠the storm was Haaland, back scoring in the league for the first time in two months and locked in a ferocious duel with Arsenal defenders William Saliba and Gabriel.

A tussle with ‌Gabriel left Haaland’s shirt badly torn and he tossed it into the crowd.

“I would not like to be Erling Haaland and battle with William Saliba and Gabriel,” Guardiola said with a smile. “To be honest, I prefer to read a book.”

Haaland embraced the chaos

“I think it’s always like this, a lot of fighting,” the 25-year-old Norwegian said. “It’s up to others to decide if I won that battle or not. I scored the goal, so I ‌won the battle in that moment. It was decisive, and we win.”

In the heart of ⁠the storm was Haaland, back scoring in the league for the first time in two months and locked in a ferocious duel with Arsenal defenders William Saliba and Gabriel. | Photo Credit: AP

Guardiola said the striker’s mid-season scoring drought reflected the toll of a relentless campaign.

“A guy so big, playing every three days during November, December, January, February, to sustain that with his ⁠body, it’s not easy,” he said.

Guardiola ended the night by saluting captain Bernardo Silva, who will ⁠leave at season’s end after nine years at City.

“If I talk a lot one day I cry,” Guardiola said. “So I just say thank you from the ‌deep of my heart. When we write ‘the legend,’ it has to be in capital letters. He’s a special, special player.”

City will draw level on points with Arsenal, and dislodge them from the top of the table, with a victory at 19th-placed Burnley on Wednesday.

Published on Apr 20, 2026

#Guardiola #Arsenal #control #victory #Manchester #City #hope

Pep Guardiola patrolled the touchline in Sunday’s pivotal 2-1 Premier League win over Arsenal virtually…

Pep Guardiola said an Arsenal victory at Manchester City on Sunday would end the Premier League 2025-26 title race, but that his side would have a lot more work to do even if it beats the Gunners.

Mikel Arteta’s men hold a six point lead at the top of the table, but City has home advantage and a game in hand on the leader.

Should Guardiola’s side win the battle between the top two and at struggling Burnley on Wednesday, it would go top for the first time in months.

Aiming to win a first league title in 22 years, Arsenal appears to have hit the wall in recent weeks. Defeat to City in the League Cup final last month has sparked a run of just one win in five games in all competitions.

However, Guardiola is wary of the challenge facing his side in the coming weeks with tricky visits to Everton and Bournemouth in the run-in.

“If we lose, yeah, it’s over,” said Guardiola at his pre-match press conference on Friday.

“But the other two results, knowing that Arsenal didn’t win (against) Bournemouth, we still have games to play. Six games is a lot, given our calendar (run-in) especially,” he added.

Arsenal has also faced the extra strain of edging past Sporting Lisbon to reach the Champions League semifinals in midweek, while City has had seven days to prepare.

ALSO READ | Howe provides Guimaraes update ahead of Newcastle United vs Bournemouth Premier League clash

Arteta hailed his players’ effort in becoming the only English side to make the final four despite a brutal schedule across four competitions.

Guardiola insisted Arsenal has shown itself to be the best team in England until now and warned his players about being “distracted” by the focus on the title race.

“They have been the best so far but we want to challenge them,” added Guardiola.

“I said today to the players, ‘it is just a football game’ and we have to approach it like a football game. If you get distracted by emotions, that is how you lose focus. What is the target? It is to perform well, and that is exactly what you have got to do in all the aspects required to challenge a team like Arsenal,” he added.

However, City striker Erling Haaland has described the clash as “like a final” for the title.

“It’s a massive game without a doubt. We all know the importance of this game. It’s like a final,” Haaland told Sky Sports.

“It’s probably the biggest and the best game there will be, so hopefully it can be an amazing game. These are the games you want to play and these are the moments you want to be in,” he noted.

Guardiola confirmed that Nico O’Reilly, who scored both goals in the League Cup final, is fit despite coming off injured in last weekend’s 3-0 win at Chelsea.

Captain Ruben Dias, though, remains sidelined.

Published on Apr 17, 2026

#Manchester #City #loses #Pep #Guardiola #ahead #Arsenal #Premier #League #title #showdown">

If Manchester City loses, ‘it’s over’, says Pep Guardiola ahead of Arsenal Premier League title showdown Pep Guardiola said an Arsenal victory at Manchester City on Sunday would end the Premier League 2025-26 title race, but that his side would have a lot more work to do even if it beats the Gunners.Mikel Arteta’s men hold a six point lead at the top of the table, but City has home advantage and a game in hand on the leader.Should Guardiola’s side win the battle between the top two and at struggling Burnley on Wednesday, it would go top for the first time in months.Aiming to win a first league title in 22 years, Arsenal appears to have hit the wall in recent weeks. Defeat to City in the League Cup final last month has sparked a run of just one win in five games in all competitions.However, Guardiola is wary of the challenge facing his side in the coming weeks with tricky visits to Everton and Bournemouth in the run-in.“If we lose, yeah, it’s over,” said Guardiola at his pre-match press conference on Friday.“But the other two results, knowing that Arsenal didn’t win (against) Bournemouth, we still have games to play. Six games is a lot, given our calendar (run-in) especially,” he added.Arsenal has also faced the extra strain of edging past Sporting Lisbon to reach the Champions League semifinals in midweek, while City has had seven days to prepare.ALSO READ | Howe provides Guimaraes update ahead of Newcastle United vs Bournemouth Premier League clashArteta hailed his players’ effort in becoming the only English side to make the final four despite a brutal schedule across four competitions.Guardiola insisted Arsenal has shown itself to be the best team in England until now and warned his players about being “distracted” by the focus on the title race.“They have been the best so far but we want to challenge them,” added Guardiola.“I said today to the players, ‘it is just a football game’ and we have to approach it like a football game. If you get distracted by emotions, that is how you lose focus. What is the target? It is to perform well, and that is exactly what you have got to do in all the aspects required to challenge a team like Arsenal,” he added.However, City striker Erling Haaland has described the clash as “like a final” for the title.“It’s a massive game without a doubt. We all know the importance of this game. It’s like a final,” Haaland told Sky Sports.“It’s probably the biggest and the best game there will be, so hopefully it can be an amazing game. These are the games you want to play and these are the moments you want to be in,” he noted.Guardiola confirmed that Nico O’Reilly, who scored both goals in the League Cup final, is fit despite coming off injured in last weekend’s 3-0 win at Chelsea.Captain Ruben Dias, though, remains sidelined.Published on Apr 17, 2026 #Manchester #City #loses #Pep #Guardiola #ahead #Arsenal #Premier #League #title #showdown

April 17, 2026