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Pep Guardiola names the crucial Arsenal loss that handed Man City title initiative
Pep Guardiola emphasizes that Manchester City’s journey to the Premier League title has been within their control since mid-April, when rivals Arsenal stumbled against Aston Villa.
The reigning champions, eyeing their fourth consecutive title, surged back to the top of the table with a commanding 4-0 victory over Fulham on Saturday, buoyed by two goals from defender Josko Gvardiol.
Currently, City sit two points ahead of Arsenal, who have the chance to reclaim the top spot if they defeat Manchester United on Sunday afternoon. However, City holds a game in hand, slated for Tuesday against Tottenham Hotspur. A victory in that match would firmly position City at the forefront as they head into the final matchday of the season.
Following their substantial win at Craven Cottage, City and Arsenal are separated by a mere two-goal difference. Guardiola points to Arsenal’s 2-0 loss to Villa as the pivotal moment that swung the title race in City’s favor.
He said: “Goal difference won’t be involved I think. I think for it to be be involved, you have to draw, that means they will win. That means the difference will be three or four higher [from us] so I don’t think it will be the defining thing this season. Of course, we have scored three, four or five in this period – we’ve scored five or more a lot, but it’s not about that.
“It’s about since they lost against Aston Villa, the destiny is in our hands. We handle it, it’s what we want, and since that moment against Aston Villa the destiny has been in our hands, it’s what we want.
“For that, you have to win the games we won in the past, especially the tough ones – Nottingham Forest, with less recovery. It’s always tough at Fulham, and now we have to go to Spurs where I never won [in the Premier League]. It will be difficult, but we are ready for it.”
To win their 14th top flight title, Arsenal must now win at Old Trafford, a venue where they have only won one of their 16 Premier League games since 2007/08. They must also hope that City falters against Tottenham and West Ham United.