Man 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 last weekend, 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.
“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.
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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Manchester City’s match against Arsenal in the Premier League.
“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 type of players that follow the message.
“And in the bad moments, they have the resilience [to say] we are there, we are there. That is a good example for us 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, six for us.
“If people think because we beat them, the title race is done, Declan Rice showed us that they are there.”
Pep: I’m proud of Haaland for not being an ‘artist’ to get Gabriel sent off
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Jamie Carragher spoke about the controversial incident where Arsenal’s Gabriel avoided red after an attempted headbutt on Manchester City’s Erling Haaland.
One flashpoint from a fiery and entertaining game on Sunday was Arsenal defender avoiding a red card for an apparent headbutt on City matchwinner Erling Haaland.
Gabriel was not punished for leaning his head into the City forward and avoided a three-match ban for violent conduct, which would have harmed Arsenal’s chances of lifting the title. Both Gabriel and Haaland were given yellow cards instead.
Guardiola compared the incident to two red cards given to his City team since his arrival in 2016 – Nolito’s red card for a headbutt against Bournemouth in his first season, before Rodri was given his marching orders for a similar incident on Morgan Gibbs-White in 2023.
Pressed on that Gabriel incident, Guardiola seemed to imply that Haaland was ‘punished’ for not being a “big artist” and staying on his feet after the apparent headbutt.
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Dermot Gallagher and Jay Bothroyd discuss whether Gabriel should have been sent off during Arsenal’s clash with Manchester City.
“I would not play that game right now,” said the City boss. “I don’t have much sympathy for the referees’ world in this country so what am I going to say?
“I know Erling has behaved as he did. I know my experience with Nolito in the first season and I remember perfectly Rodri with Morgan Gibbs-White and Nottingham Forest. Both had three-game bans because the other player was a big artist. Erling has not done it.
“But this is a decision for the referees. I’m really pleased I get another yellow card [for my team]!”
Asked about pundits calling for Haaland to show more play-acting in those circumstances, Guardiola replied: “That’s nice! Referees still believe Jeremy Doku is a diving player, when there’s no less diving player in the planet. Every time they believe he’s diving. Now the pundits encourage to do that!
“Erling behaved like he is: an extraordinary player. I’m really proud what Erling has done.”
Is Pep thinking about goal difference?
Wednesday 22nd April 7:00pm
Kick off 8:00pm
Should City beat second-bottom side Burnley on Wednesday evening, City will go level on points with Arsenal but would take top spot courtesy of having a better goal difference – which has been branded a big talking point in the final weeks of the season.
Asked if how much City win by will the important in the final weeks, Guardiola said: “It’s just a question about winning games. Just win the games.
“The match will dictate how you play and how many goals you score. Of course you have to try to [score] as much as possible. But the target is to win the game. Winning 1-0? It’s fine. That is the target.
“After, if you’re creating chances and momentum, go for it. Don’t speculate and try to do it. That’s the mindset of what we have to do.
“Because sometimes you say: ‘oh, we have to score a load of goals’. And maybe the opponent creates 72 transitions and scores five goals. The goal difference is to score and not concede, not just one side.”
