Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, expressed genuine admiration for Arsenal’s captain Declan Rice after the midfielder publicly declared that the Premier League title race was far from over. The comment came in the aftermath of City’s 2-1 victory over Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium, a win that not only handed the Gunners their first defeat of the campaign but also positioned City to potentially overtake them on goal difference if they can secure a win against Burnley on Wednesday night. In the moments following the final whistle, cameras caught Rice gathering his teammates and stating plainly that the competition was "not done" despite the shift in momentum caused by the loss.
Guardiola, speaking to Sky Sports News’ Vinny O’Connor, said he loved hearing that sentiment. "I love that.
I love that," the City boss said, adding that the remark encapsulated the fighting spirit that has defined Arsenal under Mikel Arteta. He noted that such resilience is a hallmark of the club, evident not only in the league but also in their unbeaten run in the Champions League. Guardiola highlighted that Arsenal’s mental toughness has been tested repeatedly over the past few seasons, both in the Premier League and in domestic cup competitions like the Carabao Cup. "They’ve shown they can bounce back in the bad moments and still say we’re still in it," he said, pointing to Rice’s words as a vivid illustration of that mindset.
According to Guardiola, this attitude is exactly what City will have to confront in the remaining five or six games that will decide the championship. When asked whether he had shown his squad the clip of Rice’s declaration, Guardiola replied that his players already understand the challenges ahead. "They know exactly what opponents we’re going to face in the next five games for them, six for us," he said. He warned against complacency, emphasizing that a single victory does not close the title race.
"If people think because we beat them the race is over, Declan Rice has reminded us that Arsenal are still very much in the hunt." The match itself produced a number of talking points beyond the result. Arsenal defender Gabriel was involved in a contentious incident with City’s striker Erling Haaland, where the Norwegian appeared to headbutt the defender. Both players received only yellow cards, sparking debate about the consistency of disciplinary decisions.
Guardiola drew a parallel with two red cards his own side had suffered since his arrival in 2016: Nolito’s headbutt on Bournemouth in his first season, and Rodri’s similar offence on Morgan Gibbs‑White in 2023, both of which resulted in three‑match bans. He suggested that the difference in treatment might be linked to the stature of the players involved, noting that Haaland was not punished as severely because he did not appear to be a "big artist" in the incident. Guardiola did not shy away from criticizing the refereeing standards in England, stating, "I don’t have much sympathy for the referees’ world in this country." He defended Haaland’s conduct, recalling his own experiences with Nolito and Rodri, and expressed satisfaction that his own team only received a yellow card in the incident. The manager was also asked about pundits who have urged Haaland to exaggerate contact and dive more often.
Guardiola responded with a mix of sarcasm and pride: "That’s nice! Referees still believe Jeremy Doku is a diving player, when there is no less diving player on the planet. Every time they think he’s diving, the pundits encourage him to do it!" He concluded by praising Haaland’s professionalism, saying, "Erling behaved like he is: an extraordinary player. I’m really proud of what Erling has done." Looking ahead, City’s upcoming clash with Burnley will be crucial.
A win would see City level on points with Arsenal, but they would claim the top spot on goal difference—a metric that has become a focal point in the final weeks of the season. Guardiola was asked whether the margin of victory would matter, and he emphasized the fundamental goal of simply winning matches.
"It’s just a question about winning games. Just win the games," he said. He added that while scoring as many goals as possible is desirable, the primary objective is to secure three points.
Whether the result is 1‑0 or a larger margin, the emphasis should be on maintaining a solid defensive record and capitalising on opportunities. He warned against over‑thinking the need for a big goal haul, noting that a narrow win can be just as valuable as a high‑scoring affair, provided the team continues to create chances and sustain momentum.
"Sometimes you say, ‘oh, we have to score a load of goals,’ and maybe the opponent creates 72 transitions and scores five goals. Goal difference is about scoring and not conceding, not just about one side," Guardiola explained. In summary, Guardiola’s post‑match comments highlighted his respect for Arsenal’s fighting spirit, embodied by Declan Rice’s reminder that the title race remains open.
He also used the occasion to critique refereeing decisions, defend his star striker, and reinforce his team’s pragmatic approach to the final stretch of the Premier League campaign. With the title still up for grabs, both clubs will need to maintain focus, resilience, and consistency as they navigate the decisive fixtures ahead.