Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has expressed admiration for Declan Rice's assertion that the title race is far from over, despite Arsenal's recent defeat to City. Following their 2-1 victory over the Premier League leaders, City can potentially claim the top spot on Wednesday if they defeat Burnley.
Rice's post-match comments, captured on video, emphasized that the title race is 'not done,' earning Guardiola's praise. Guardiola commended Rice's mentality, stating it reflects Arsenal's competitiveness, which City has faced in previous seasons. He highlighted the importance of resilience in difficult moments, citing Arsenal's unbeaten record in the Champions League as an example.
When asked if he had shown his players the video clip of Rice, Guardiola replied that his team is aware of the opponents they will face in the title race. He compared an incident involving Gabriel and Erling Haaland to previous red cards given to City players, suggesting that Haaland was not rewarded for staying on his feet.
Guardiola also addressed pundits' calls for Haaland to engage in more play-acting, saying he is proud of Haaland's behavior as an extraordinary player. With City potentially taking the top spot on Wednesday, Guardiola emphasized the importance of winning games, rather than focusing solely on goal difference.