Following a goalless draw against Arsenal, Manchester City find themselves relegated to “third” favorites in the Premier League title race, trailing leaders Liverpool by three points.
Manchester City’s quest for a fourth consecutive Premier League title faces a significant challenge after a goalless draw against Arsenal left them trailing leaders Liverpool by three points with nine games remaining.
Manager Pep Guardiola conceded that his team are now underdogs in the title race, with Liverpool emerging as clear favorites. Guardiola acknowledged Arsenal’s solid defensive performance, jokingly suggesting extreme measures like playing with nine men or “killing someone” to break through their defensive block.
Despite dominating possession, City struggled to create clear-cut chances, managing only one shot on target. The stalemate marked City’s first league game at the Etihad Stadium without a goal since October 2021.
Guardiola emphasized the importance of focusing on the next game against Aston Villa, acknowledging that when a team sits atop the table, they naturally become the favorites.
Meanwhile, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed pride in his team’s defensive resilience, securing two clean sheets against City this season. Arteta highlighted the progress his team has made since their 4-1 defeat at the Etihad last season, emphasizing the commitment and discipline shown by his players.
With both teams still in contention for the Champions League, Arsenal set to face Bayern Munich, and City taking on Real Madrid in the quarterfinals, their focus now shifts to midweek Premier League fixtures. City will host Aston Villa, while Arsenal will play
Luton Town at the Emirates Stadium. As the title race intensifies, every point becomes crucial, and both teams will be aiming to secure victories to keep their hopes alive.
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