Pep Guardiola gives Man City reality check in Arsenal battle for Premier League

Pep Guardiola warned against anybody expecting Manchester City to close down Arsenal despite their form.

City picked up their fifth league win in a row at Southampton, then their ninth in all competitions in midweek as they smashed Bayern Munich 3-0 to put one foot in the Champions League semi-finals. Arsenal dropping points at Liverpool last week means that the title is now once again in the hands of Pep Guardiola's defending champions.

If they are able to beat Brighton in their game in hand, and beat Arsenal in a top-of-the-table clash later this month, they would lead the league on goal difference. With their experience and the form that they are in, the odds have shifted in City's favour.

Also read: Every word from Pep Guardiola press conference ahead of Leicester

However, not only is beating Arsenal anything but a given, Guardiola also talked up the difficulty of the Brighton game. Should City make the Champions League semi-finals, they will have to head to the Amex in the final days of the season.

"The reality is we are six points behind," said Guardiola. "Nobody can guarantee we are going to win the game in hand against Brighton - the best team in the world making the build-up. There is no team in the world better in modern football right now.

"Then, Arsenal at home. There is no guarantee of everything."

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