Pep Guardiola mentioned Manchester Metropolis are actually “third favourites” to win the Premier League title after a 0-0 draw with Arsenal at The Etihad on Sunday.
The consequence leaves Metropolis third within the desk, some extent behind Arsenal in second and three factors adrift of leaders Liverpool. With 9 video games remaining, the title is out of their arms and Guardiola mentioned his crew are actually underdogs to say the trophy for the fourth season in a row.
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Requested whether or not Liverpool had been now “clear favourites” to win the Premier League, Guardiola mentioned: “Sure. Whoever is first is favourites, second [favourites] is Arsenal and we’re third.
“It isn’t in our arms — all we are able to do is consider [the next game against] Aston Villa. If you’re high of the league, like we have been earlier than, you’re favourites.”
Metropolis dominated many of the recreation in opposition to Arsenal, however might solely handle one shot on track. It was the primary time they’d failed to attain in a league recreation on the Etihad Stadium since October 2021 and afterwards Guardiola joked that there was just one technique to get by means of Arsenal’s low defensive block.
“Kill somebody,” he mentioned. “Play with 9. They defend properly and lots, surrounding Erling [Haaland]. They defended properly with lots of people. There are other ways. They did properly with the press after which after the block. The principle goal is to not concede they usually did it. We did not create a lot however our intention was there.”
For Arteta, there was delight in holding two clear sheets in opposition to Metropolis this season — significantly after dropping 4-1 on the Etihad 11 months in the past. That consequence final season ended Arsenal’s title hopes however this one ensured they’re nonetheless within the race forward of the run-in.
“You wish to win the sport, you put together to win it however in the event you can’t win it, be sure to draw it,” Arteta mentioned. “We did that. Eleven months in the past we had been right here and the story was very completely different. It’s a must to make steps as a crew and at present we have completed that. We nonetheless have many extra to come back.
“It exhibits you the dedication of each participant, the self-discipline they confirmed and the way they compete. One factor is to play a soccer match and one other one is to compete in it. At the moment we did that basically properly.”
Each groups are nonetheless alive within the Champions League, with Arsenal dealing with Bayern Munich and Metropolis taking up Actual Madrid within the quarterfinals subsequent week. Earlier than that, Man Metropolis host Aston Villa and Arsenal play Luton City at The Emirates this Wednesday in midweek Premier League motion.
