Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has issued a warning to Premier League leaders Arsenal, insisting "a lot can happen in 13 games" after his side's dramatic 2-1 win at Liverpool closed the gap at the top to six points.
Two late goals from Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland overturned Dominik Szoboszlai's 74th-minute opener, sealing City's first league double over Liverpool in 89 years. The victory means City can move within three points of Arsenal if they beat Fulham on Wednesday, before the Gunners play on Thursday.
“We are six points behind,” Guardiola said post-match. “OK, it is a big gap, but many things can happen, so it's better to have the three points... 13 games is a lot and the FA Cup is coming, the Carabao Cup final too, the Champions League is back in March and injuries will happen.”
The Spaniard highlighted the pressures of the run-in, including fixtures against relegation battlers and the fact City still host Arsenal at the Etihad. “All we can do is breathe down the neck of Arsenal, being there, and try if they slip, if they make something [a mistake], use it. We have to play them at home, so of course we have to beat them.”
The match also featured late VAR controversy when a spectacular long-range goal by Rayan Cherki was ruled out for a foul by Haaland on Szoboszlai in the build-up, with the Liverpool man receiving a red card. Guardiola disagreed with the decision.
“Common sense, no? How many pulls are there in the game that referees play on? Just give a goal, play on and let Szobo play,” he argued.
Despite the contentious end, City's resilience keeps their title hopes alive, applying significant pressure on Mikel Arteta's Arsenal as the season enters its decisive phase.
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