ไทย
English
中國人
Pep Guardiola has conceded that his Manchester City squad may no longer hold underdog status in the battle for the Premier League crown.
A calamitous weekend for table-toppers Arsenal, which kicked off with a 2–1 loss to Bournemouth and concluded with City's commanding 3–0 win over Chelsea, has drawn Guardiola's men firmly back into contention.
Arsenal currently lead by six points, though they have played one fixture more than their rivals, with City set to host the Gunners next Sunday in what promises to be a pivotal title showdown. Mikel Arteta's side hold a slightly better goal difference of three, a gap City could comfortably erase.
Having just defeated Arsenal 2–0 in the Carabao Cup final, Guardiola acknowledged that City could now be considered the favorites to claim the title.
"In the Carabao Cup final City were complete underdogs," he told Sky Sports. "There is not one person in this country that would bet £1 that we would be much better. Maybe now it's a bit different.
"The respect I have for Arsenal, what they have done the last few years ... I know the manager, the players, the quality, how they compete in every circumstance, that's the biggest job we have. There is a tactical issue, maybe we will adjust something.
"They have been the best team in this country, in Europe, so far. Beating Arsenal once is so difficult, imagine beating them twice in a few weeks. We have to rest."
Why Guardiola Fancies Man City's Chances
While the Premier League title race will ultimately be settled on the pitch, much of the conversation surrounding the contest touches on elements beyond pure goal-scoring ability.
Arsenal's mentality has come under scrutiny following yet another late-season dip—a recurring theme over recent campaigns—whereas City's battle-hardened serial winners appear to have no such psychological concerns.
After suffering just three defeats in 49 matches, Arsenal have now lost three of their last four, falling in the Carabao Cup final before being eliminated from the FA Cup, reducing their quadruple ambitions to a modest pursuit of what would still be a notable double.
"I think City will have the edge on that, just purely the manager and players they've got," former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney told his self-titled show. "They will be able to stay a little calmer than the Arsenal players.
"They will be worried because when you go on a run and lose a few games, you start thinking, 'Where's the next goal, the next win going to come from?' That negative mindset really has an impact on your performance."