Pep Guardiola issues Man City title challenge after late win keeps pressure on Arsenal

Star striker struck late on to earn crucial three points

New challenge: Pep GuardiolaAFP via Getty ImagesOli Gent12 seconds ago COMMENTSYour matchday briefing on Arsenal, featuring team news and expert analysis from Matt Verri

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Pep Guardiola has issued his Manchester City players a challenge to seize upon any Arsenal mistake as they kept the pressure on the Gunners in the Premier League title race.

City earned a last-minute 2-1 victory over Liverpool at Anfield thanks to Erling Haaland’s stoppage-time penalty, which secured a spectacular turnaround on Merseyside.

In his post-match press conference, Guardiola admitted that his side still had a fair way to go in the title race.

“I have a feeling that improving a little bit will not be enough to compete against Arsenal but still we have margin [to improve],” he said.

“We have to [play Arsenal] at home and of course, we have to beat them.

“I’ve said, 13 games in the Premier League, from my point of view, from my little experience, is a lot of time, a lot.

“It’s proper. When you go into the last games playing any team in a relegation battle, it’s a proper game because they live to survive and they have long weeks to prepare, [whereas] you come from [the] FA Cup, you come from [the] Carabao Cup, you come from the Champions League.

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“That makes an influence in the title race. That’s why being nine, 10, 11 points is more difficult. That’s why all we can do is breathe down the neck of Arsenal, being there, and try if they sleep, if they make something [a mistake], use it.”

Arsenal had done their bit earlier in the weekend, beating Sunderland 3-0 to extend their lead to nine points at the summit, but City did what they needed to do, claiming a crucial three points on Sunday to keep the gap to six.

That could close to three on Wednesday should Guardiola’s men defeat Fulham.

Pep Guardiola issues Man City title challenge after late win keeps pressure on Arsenal

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