Winning is all we can do now – Guardiola rallies City for tense race against Arsenal
By Luke Oluoch, May 8, 2026Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has admitted his team faces a “must-win” run-in after their title hopes were dented by Everton in last Monday’s (May 4, 2026) six-goal thriller at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The Cityzens salvaged a 3-3 draw against David Moyes’s side thanks to a last-gasp equalizer from Jeremie Doku.
Despite the dramatic comeback, the result leaves the former champions trailing Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal in a fierce two-horse race as the season nears its conclusion.
Speaking during Friday’s press conference on May 8, 2026, Guardiola insisted that winning remains the absolute priority while chasing the league leaders with only four games remaining.
Home advantage
Fortunately for City, three of those final four matches will be held at home, an advantage the Spaniard hopes will prove decisive in the late-season drama.
“I love to play at home, what can I say? So hopefully [the fans] can come and help us put pressure on Arsenal,” he stated.
“Winning our games is all that we can do.”
Guardiola also took a moment to congratulate the Manchester City Women’s team on clinching the 2026 Women’s Super League (WSL) title. He described the achievement as a monumental step, especially after breaking Chelsea’s dominant run of six consecutive league titles.
City women’s winning WSL
“A huge compliment on behalf of the men’s first team,” Guardiola said. “What Chelsea has done—winning six leagues in six years—has been top. Now that we have broken that streak, it is a big compliment to the players, the manager, and everyone in the organization. Hopefully, it is the first of many to come.”
Manchester City returns to action against London-based Brentford this Saturday, May 9, 2026, at the Etihad Stadium.
The Cityzens have the opportunity to cut into Arsenal’s lead while the Gunners remain inactive until Sunday, May 10, 2026, when they face West Ham in a crucial London derby.