Man City need win over Arsenal or title hopes are over says Guardiola

MANCHESTER, England April 17 : Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has called Sunday's Premier League clash with leaders Arsenal a final, saying defeat would effectively end his side's title hopes ahead of the much-anticipated showdown at the Etihad Stadium.

City trail Arsenal by six points but have a game in hand, and victory would cut the gap while ramping up the pressure as the race enters its decisive phase.

Guardiola, however, said there was little room for error, acknowledging that anything less than three points would leave his team facing too steep a climb.

"Yes, obviously," the Spaniard added on whether he sees the game as a final. "If we lose, it is over."

Despite the fine margins, Guardiola said City are confident, stressing that belief is crucial at this stage of the season. 

"If you could buy confidence in a supermarket we would buy it immediately. It is one of the most important aspects," he told a press conference. (Our confidence) is good. We are ready," he added.

"A month ago, because we dropped points in moments, I thought we would not be here. (But) we saw the calendar and said, 'OK, we play Arsenal at home for a chance. It is six points. It is not a short distance, but we have a chance to do it.'

"That is the situation we are in. It depends on our behaviour and everything will be said on Sunday. Our fans have sold out. Everything is perfect to play a game."

Guardiola said Nico O'Reilly, who scored twice in City's 2-0 League Cup final win over Arsenal, is fit after he left last weekend's game at Chelsea clutching his left hamstring.

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That thrilling victory was part of a solid City run of form including a 4-0 throttling of Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals. They