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It’s over if we lose: Pep Guardiola admits ahead of Arsenal clash
17th April, 2026 03:43 PM
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has conceded that the English Premier League title race could be over if the Cityzens lose against Arsenal in the potential decider on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
The six-time Premier League winner welcomes the Londoners at the Etihad Stadium for a clash that has all the makings of deciding the tight race at the top so far.
Speaking to Sky Sports on Friday, April 17, 2026, the Spaniards admitted that there are still a lot of games to go, but the encounter against the league leaders could define the race.
Asked if the clash is final: “Yeah, obviously. If we lose it over!” he quipped about the significance of the match-up.
He acknowledged the rising difficulty of their campaign, pointing out that they have to clash with teams competing in Europe as the season progresses.
Despite seeing his team reduce the nine-point gap to seven after Arsenal stumbled against AFC Bournemouth a week ago, Guardiola’s Man City seems to be the advantageous side with better form heading to the final decisive rounds while also boasting a game in hand against Crystal Palace.
Pep Guardiola’s side, however, faces the tougher challenge, with several matchups against top-ten sides remaining.
The final run-ins
“But there are two results. Knowing that Arsenal did not win against Bournemouth, they still have games to play. Six games are a lot in our calendar. It is terrible running away to Everton and playing Bournemouth away. Aston Villa, the last game at home. With Villa and Crystal Palace in Europe, there are still so many things to do,” he stated.
After Matchday 33, pitting the two arch rivals, Arsenal will travel to Tyneside in Week 34 to face bogey team Newcastle United. In their previous meeting, Arsenal only secured a win with a last-minute goal from Gabriel Magalhães.
In the corresponding fixture, City will visit Scott Parker’s Burnley at Turf Moor.
In the final four afterwards, the Gunners boast an overall simple fixture on paper comprising bottom-half teams, with West Ham United and Burnley on their schedule.
For Guardiola, the path includes Everton, Brentford, and Aston Villa, teams battling for European spots, meaning his charges must walk his earlier pre-Chelsea talk about maintaining perfect form to stand a chance of reclaiming the league title.
