Pep Guardiola has conceded that the title race was out of Manchester City’s hands after the treble winners played an attritional draw against Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday (March 31).
Guardiola was speaking at the post-match conference where he was quizzed if Liverpool were the clear favourite for the title.
“Yes. Always who is first is favourites, second is Arsenal and we are third,” the manager said.
Questioned if there were concerns that with only 27 points to play for, his team would fail to catch the two teams in front of him, the Man City boss gave a measured response.
“It’s not in our hands. All we can do is think of Aston Villa [on Wednesday]. If you are top of the league – like we’ve been before – you are favourites,” he said.
“We prefer to win, obviously. We take the point. A tight game. I recognised my team, I’m so proud. They tried. Our intention was there. We’ll see what happens. We need to refresh our minds and legs before Aston Villa.”
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City-Arsenal tie remains goalless
The much-hyped title decider between the two teams was a rather dull affair with both managers refusing to take the extra risk to secure the three points.
Arsenal, playing away from home, opted for a defensive approach, often defending in a 5-3-2 shape which nullified the likes of Kevin de Bruyne and Bernardo Silva from operating between the lines and in half-spaces.
Man City striker Erling Haaland cut a sorry figure throughout the evening and could barely get touches inside the opposition penalty box. The centre-back pairing of Gabriel and William Saliba did a titanic job while Declan Rice in the midfield kept the Arsenal defence resolute.
Meanwhile, Liverpool came from behind to secure a 2-1 win against Brighton at Anfield. Jurgen Klopp’s men conceded in under 90 seconds, courtesy of a stunning finish from Danny Welbeck. However, the Reds kept their composure and continued to create chances before Luis Diaz pounced on a back pass from a Brighton defender and scored past Bart Verbruggen to equalise the scoreline.
From thereon, the pressure was only increased on Roberto De Zerbi’s team and eventually, Mo Salah slotted one to the back of the net in the second half to collect three crucial points for his team.
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