Pep Guardiola has warned his Manchester City players to remain grounded after their hard-fought 2-1 victory over Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
While Erling Haaland’s second-half winner slashed Arsenal’s lead to just three points, the City boss was quick to remind his squad that Mikel Arteta’s side still occupies the summit.
“Who is top of the league? We are not,” Guardiola remarked, emphasizing that the Gunners still hold the advantage in both points and a superior goal difference of $+37$ compared to City’s $+36$.
The victory was slightly dampened by an injury concern for Rodri, who was forced off in the 88th minute with a groin problem and is awaiting medical tests to determine his availability for the midweek trip to Burnley.
If City successfully navigate their game in hand at Turf Moor this Wednesday, they will leapfrog Arsenal into first place for the first time in months.
Despite the high stakes, Guardiola expressed immense pride in his team’s performance during what he described as a “good advertisement” for English football, where both sides relentlessly man-marked and attacked.
With only five matches remaining for the leaders, the battle for the Premier League crown appears set to go down to the final day.
