Man City critics motivated players in title race fightback vs Arsenal

Critics of Manchester City drove the players on earlier in the season, Pep Guardiola said.

City trailed Arsenal by eight points at the biggest point, but have used their games in hand to sit four points ahead of the Gunners going into the final week of the season. Victory for City on Sunday will confirm them as champions, as will defeat for Arsenal on Saturday.

Asked about City's impressive run of 11-straight wins in the Premier League and 23 games unbeaten in all competitions, Guardiola praised his players' mentality and noted that the doubters from outside the club acted as motivation for turning their form around.

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"When you are in one season, you can't play a season the level we play today. It's impossible," Guardiola said, explaining the mentality required to put a long unbeaten run together.

"For the Premier League, at the end, don't be far away from the top of the league, don't give up never ever, and wait. Arrive in knockout stages, especially in the Champions League at the end in a good moment. We didn't change much, the way we play in Southampton in the Carabao Cup was the lowest game in seven years. Sometimes happen.

"At the end, have to avoid it but can happen for the opponent more focussed, it's normal. At the end, try to be as stable as possible. We did it again, otherwise cannot be 85 points with nine still to play. Close to 90 points again in one season, without you aren't consistent. We have done really really well."

And Guardiola said that he didn't expect to catch Arsenal around the halfway point of the season, especially after Mikel Arteta's side accumulated 50 points from their first 19 games of the campaign.

He said: "After