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I love that! Guardiola speaks on viral Declan Rice title race warning
22nd April, 2026 08:25 AM
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says he “loves” Declan Rice’s claim that the title race is not done yet despite Arsenal’s defeat to his team on Sunday.
City made a major statement in the Premier League title tussle by beating leaders Arsenal 2-1 on Sunday, April 19, 2026, and can now move top themselves on goal difference if they beat Burnley on Wednesday night, live on Sky Sports.
Amid the City joy at the full-time whistle at the Etihad Stadium, Rice was captured by video cameras telling his Arsenal team-mates that the race is “not done” despite the shift in momentum, which has earned praise from Guardiola.
Arsenal mentality
“I love that. I love that,” said Guardiola in an exclusive interview with Sky Sports News’ Vinny O’Connor. “That’s why Arsenal is there.
“I saw it [on Monday], and it shows what Declan Rice means. That’s the Arsenal mentality; we’ve faced it in the Premier League these [past] seasons and in the Carabao Cup, how competitive they are.
“Otherwise they can’t have done the season they have done in the Premier League, being there and being unbeaten in the Champions League, as you have Mikel [Arteta] but also these types of players that follow the message.
Rice it’s not done comments
“And in the bad moments, they have the resilience [to say] we are there, we are there. That is a good example for us of what we’re going to face in the six games, five games [for them] in the title race.”
Asked if he’s shown his players the video clip of Rice saying “it’s not done,” Guardiola replied, “They know exactly what opponents we’re going to face in the five games for them and six for us.
“If people think because we beat them, the title race is done, Declan Rice showed us that they are there.”
This comes days after the Spaniard urged his team not to get complacent after dismantling Arsenal to close in on a seventh league title under the manager.
He underscored the need to maintain concentration levels and stretch the run until the end of the title race.
“I am happy because we can extend the hope. Maybe it goes until the end; we will try,” he told Sky Sports. “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.
