The Premier League title will not be decided by Wednesday night’s showdown between Arsenal and Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, according to Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.
The Gunners have been in first place in the league for the majority of the season and have turned themselves into genuine title contenders for the first time since the 2007–08 season.
However, City now has the advantage after the Gunners drew three straight games against Liverpool, West Ham, and Southampton.
Ahead of Wednesday night, the gap between them stands at five points, while City have two games in hand. Should Guardiola’s side win this week’s huge clash, they would pull just two points behind Arsenal with those games in hand still to play.
“We knew we had to go to Etihad, it will be difficult, but will it decide the season? No,” the Arsenal boss said on Tuesday afternoon.
“The belief is there, I look at how the players reacted after Southampton, they defend each other in every moment. We really want it and we are again going to show it tomorrow night. But it has to be perfect because that is what is demanded at this time in the season.”
Mikel Arteta insists Arsenal’s trip to face Man City is not a Premier League title decider, but concedes his side now have to be perfect in order to stay top of the table… 👀 pic.twitter.com/9gAsCsK0Xj
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 25, 2023
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Guardiola gave a similar kind of assessment in his own press conference, although still placed massive significance on the outcome of the fixture.
“It is really important, but not decisive because there are many games to play for both sides. We can’t deny how important it is,” the City boss commented.
“Arsenal have always had incredible details about keeping the ball. The players they select for the club have big quality and skills.
“Mikel has brought them to a different level; they are so competitive and aggressive.”
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