Pep Guardiola privately warned Man City players over Arsenal slump

Pep Guardiola told his Manchester City players they were not immune from a slump in results as they aim to win another Premier League.

City have topped the table briefly this season but have spent the majority of the campaign trailing Arsenal. However, a 4-1 win over the North London side brings the reigning champions to within two points of top spot with two games in hand; three points on Sunday at Fulham will take them there ahead of Arsenal's midweek game with Chelsea.

That victory over their main rivals and the situation in the league has led many pundits to declare the title race to be over, despite the fact that City still trail in the table and still have seven league games left. Guardiola has said that their position means that they do not have to look at the league table if they keep winning games, but warned his squad that they are absolutely capable of suffering a similar winless run that has taken Arsenal's momentum away from them.

Read more: Every word from Pep Guardiola ahead of Man City match at Fulham

"I know Mikel perfectly and the players know it that Arsenal will not give up. One of the real prizes [for Arsenal] is done, getting to the Champions League next season. and they will not give up," he said.

"When we are 10 points clear I will say it is almost over but the reality today is we're two points behind. We have two games left [in hand] but we have to be respectful for the teams we play - West Ham and Brighton - and we have to beat them, After that I agree but we still have to play them and the reality is we're behind. If the championship finished today, they would be champions.

"The tendency is normal for what we've done in the past, Arsenal a long time not there [challenging for titles], we