Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola expressed genuine enthusiasm after hearing Arsenal captain Declan Rice remind his teammates that the Premier League title race remains wide open, even after City’s 2-1 victory over the Gunners on Sunday. The win, which saw City overturn Arsenal’s position at the top of the table, placed the Citizens in a position to move level on points with the north London side if they can secure a win against Burnley on Wednesday night, a match that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. In the immediate aftermath of the final whistle at the Etihad, cameras caught Rice turning to his Arsenal colleagues and declaring that the battle for the crown was "not done" despite the shift in momentum in City’s favour.
Guardiola praised the statement, saying it epitomised the competitive spirit that defines Arsenal and the broader Premier League. "I love that. I love that," Guardiola said in an exclusive interview with Sky Sports News’ Vinny O’Connor. "That’s why Arsenal are still in the mix.
I saw the clip on Monday and it shows what Declan Rice means to his team. It’s the Arsenal mentality – they’ve been resilient in the league these past seasons and in the Carabao Cup, always fighting until the final whistle." He continued, "Otherwise they couldn’t have achieved what they have this season – staying unbeaten in the Champions League, staying near the top of the league, and having a manager like Mikel [Arteta] who instills that belief.
In the tough moments they show the resilience to say ‘we’re still here’. That’s a good example for us of what we’ll face in the next six games for us, five for them, in the title race." When asked whether he had shown his squad the video of Rice’s comments, Guardiola replied, "They know exactly what kind of opponents we’ll face in the next five games for them and six for us. If anyone thinks that beating Arsenal means the title race is over, Declan Rice proved otherwise – they are still very much in contention." One of the most talked‑about moments from the fiery Sunday encounter involved Arsenal defender Gabriel, who appeared to head‑butt City’s match‑winner Erling Haaland.
Gabriel escaped a red card, receiving only a yellow, and thus avoided a three‑match ban for violent conduct that could have jeopardised Arsenal’s title hopes. Guardiola drew a parallel between that incident and two red cards his own side have suffered since he arrived in 2016 – Nolito’s head‑butt on Bournemouth in his first season and Rodri’s similar offence on Morgan Gibbs‑White in 2023. He suggested that the difference lay in the perception of the players involved. "I would not play that game right now," Guardiola said when pressed on the Gabriel episode.
"I don’t have much sympathy for the refereeing standards in this country, so what can I say? I know Erling behaved as he did. I remember my experience with Nolito in my first season and Rodri’s clash with Morgan – both received three‑game bans because the other player was a ‘big artist’.
Erling is not a big artist, so the decision is up to the officials. I’m just pleased we got another yellow card for our side." Addressing pundits who urged Haaland to exaggerate contact, Guardiola responded with a hint of sarcasm: "That’s nice!
Referees still think Jeremy Doku is a diving player, even though there is no one less prone to diving on the planet. Every time they call him a diver, pundits encourage that behaviour! Erling behaved like an extraordinary player.
I’m really proud of what he has done." Looking ahead, a victory over Burnley – who sit second from bottom – would see City level on points with Arsenal but take the lead on goal difference, a statistic that has become a focal point in the final weeks of the campaign. Guardiola was asked whether the margin of victory would matter, and he emphasized a simple mantra: win the game. "It’s just about winning games.
Just win the games," he said. "The match will dictate how you play and how many goals you score.
Of course you want to score as many as possible, but the primary target is to win. Winning 1‑0 is fine – that’s the goal. After that, if you’re creating chances and have momentum, go for it.
Don’t over‑think it. That’s the mindset we need." He added, "Sometimes people say ‘we have to score a lot of goals’, but if the opponent creates 72 chances and scores five, the goal difference is about scoring and not conceding, not just one side of the equation." In summary, Guardiola’s comments highlighted three key themes: respect for the opponent’s resolve, the fine line referees walk in high‑stakes matches, and the pragmatic approach City will adopt as the season reaches its climax. While Arsenal’s claim that the race is not over was met with admiration, City’s own focus remains on securing points, managing goal difference, and maintaining the resilience that has defined their campaign so far.
The upcoming fixture against Burnley will be a crucial test of those principles, and the outcome could shape the final standings as the Premier League hurtles toward its dramatic conclusion.