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Guardiola warns City against losing focus after closing gap on leaders Arsenal
20th April, 2026 07:29 AM
Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola has urged the club not to lose focus on their targets after the Premier League side took a significant step towards reclaiming the English Premier League title with Sunday’s win over Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium.
Man City beat the Premier League leaders Arsenal 2-1 on Sunday and are now just three points back with a game in hand.
A win at Burnley on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, will send City top of the table with five games left.
Losing focus
The Spaniard has, however, asserted that the team must maintain its concentration levels and stretch the run until the end as they hope to upstage Arsenal with a late comeback.
“I am happy because we can extend the hope. Maybe it goes until the end; we will try,” he told Sky Sports.
The gaffer also dismissed criticism and speculation about Arsenal’s form heading to the league homestretch, asserting that the Londoners remain a formidable team going by their performances and position in the domestic league and status as Champions League semifinalists.
“Momentum changes. People said to me that the momentum from Arsenal is bad. What I saw today wasn’t bad momentum. They are in the semi-final of the Champions League, where they haven’t lost a single game. Momentum shifts in one instance,” he explained.
While noting the win as crucial and deserving a moment of celebration, Pep noted that the team must quickly shift focus to the game on Wednesday.
“The reality is just one thing: they are top of the league. One ahead on goal difference. We have to enjoy it, celebrate it, and take the good things. But don’t lose the focus. In three days we go to Burnley,” he stated.
His sentiments were echoed by striker Erling Haaland, who bagged the winning goal in the potentially decisive top-table encounter.
Haaland rallies City for next finals
The Norwegian underscored the importance of the upcoming fixtures for the Cityzens, describing them as finals.
“Every game is a final. On Wednesday we have a new final. When we have stopped speaking here, it’s about recovering for the Burnley game. Because the Burnley game is just as important as this game. We need to stay focused and stay humble.”
The clash opens up a tense five-game run-in in the remainder of the campaign, with Mikel Arteta’s side needing to balance the demands of Europe simultaneously.
The title race remains wide open, with much at stake, with Arteta and Arsenal eyeing their first major trophy since 2020, while City targets a record-breaking seventh title under the Spanish gaffer.
