Pep Guardiola: ‘Premier League destiny is in our hands’
Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City are in pole position to retain the Premier League title after beating leaders Arsenal 4-1 at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night.
The top-of-the-table battle billed as a possible title decider was a one-sided affair in City’s favour, with goals from Kevin De Bruyne (2), John Stones and Erling Braut Haaland helping the hosts secure three valuable points against a below-par Gunners outfit.
De Bruyne opened the scoring in the seventh minute with a sweeping strike from outside the area into the bottom-right corner, and the playmaker then set up Stones to head home a second on the stroke of half time.
Haaland, who set up De Bruyne’s opener, turned provider again for the Belgian nine minutes after the break before Rob Holding netted a consolation goal on the 86-minute mark, but City’s No.9 had the last laugh when he scored a record-breaking 33rd Premier League goal of the season to wrap up a statement victory for the reigning champions in added time.
Man City’s impressive run of nine Premier League wins in their last 10 matches coupled with Arsenal failing to win any of their last four has helped them to move to within two points of Mikel Arteta’s side at the summit who have played two games more.
Guardiola has acknowledged that he would have preferred to have been in Arsenal’s position before kickoff, but he now feels that City’s title destiny is back in their hands.
Asked by reporters if he would prefer Man City’s position and run-in compared with that of Arsenal, Guardiola told mancity.com: “Absolutely [I prefer] my position now. I would love to be two games ahead with six points.
“It depends on us. Until today I prefer the position for Arsenal because if Arsenal beat us it is in their hands. Now it is in our destiny.
Guardiola added: “I have a feeling the next three games will dictate a lot. Fulham have come from the Championship and this season have been amazing.
“We play at home against Leeds and West Ham. We feel comfortable here with the crowd. The next three games will be really important.
“The most important thing is the destiny is in our hands. When you arrive at the end of the season, most important thing is it depends on us. We still have seven games.
“If we play like today we are an incredibly competitive team but there are many good teams around the world. To have this mentality, this is the most satisfaction I have as a manager.
“Of course we want to win but how they behave, I am really impressed because I know how difficult it is.”
Treble-chasing Man City will now prepare for three aforementioned Premier League fixtures against Fulham, West Ham and Leeds, facing the former first at Craven Cottage on Sunday, before travelling to the Santiago Bernabeu to take on Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on May 9.
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