Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola expressed genuine admiration for Arsenal captain Declan Rice after the English midfielder publicly insisted that the Premier League title fight was far from over, even after his side’s recent defeat to City. The comment came in the aftermath of City’s 2-1 victory over Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium, a result that not only gave the visitors a morale boost but also positioned them to overtake the Gunners on goal difference should they secure a win against Burnley on Wednesday night. In the moments following the final whistle, cameras caught Rice turning to his teammates and declaring that "the race is not done," a statement that Guardiola later described as "something I love to hear" in an exclusive interview with Sky Sports News’ Vinny O’Connor.
The manager highlighted that Rice’s words encapsulated the fighting spirit that has defined Arsenal’s season, noting that the club’s resilience has been evident both in the league and in the Champions League, where they remain unbeaten. "I love that," Guardiola said.
"That’s why Arsenal are still in the conversation. I saw the clip on Monday and it shows what Declan Rice means to his side. It’s the Arsenal mentality – they’ve been competitive in the Premier League for years and in the Carabao Cup as well. Even when things go wrong, they keep saying ‘we’re still here.’ That’s the kind of resilience we will have to face in the remaining six games for us and the five games they have left in the title race." When asked whether he had shown his own squad the video of Rice’s remark, Guardiola replied that his players already understand the challenge ahead.
"They know exactly what opponents we’ll face in the next five games for them, six for us. If anyone thinks the title race is over because we beat Arsenal, Declan Rice reminded us that they are still very much in contention," he said. The match itself provided several talking points beyond the final score.
Arsenal defender Gabriel was involved in a controversial incident with City’s match‑winner Erling Haaland, appearing to head‑butt the Norwegian striker. Both players received yellow cards, and Gabriel escaped a potential three‑match ban for violent conduct.
Guardiola drew a parallel between this situation and two red‑card incidents he has witnessed since taking charge of City 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 in disciplinary outcomes often hinges on the profile of the players involved. "I would not play that game right now," Guardiola admitted, expressing frustration with refereeing standards in England.
"I have little sympathy for the referees’ world here, so what can I say? I know Erling behaved as he did. I remember Nolito’s incident and Rodri’s clash with Morgan – both resulted in three‑game bans because the other player was a big name. Erling didn’t get that treatment, but ultimately it’s the referee’s decision.
I’m just pleased we got another yellow card for our side." The manager also addressed the media’s criticism of Haaland’s reaction, which some pundits labeled as insufficiently theatrical. Guardiola defended his striker, stating, "Erling behaved like an extraordinary player.
I’m proud of what he’s done. Referees still think Jeremy Doku is a diving player, yet there’s no one less prone to diving on the planet. The pundits encourage that behaviour, but Erling simply stayed on his feet and let the officials decide." Looking ahead, Guardiola emphasized that the upcoming fixture against Burnley is crucial but cautioned against over‑thinking the margin of victory.
"It’s simply about winning games," he said. "The match will dictate how we play and how many goals we score. Of course we want to score as many as possible, but the primary target is to win. A 1‑0 win is fine – that’s the goal.
If we’re creating chances and have momentum, we’ll push for more, but we won’t speculate or force things." He added that goal difference, while a hot topic in the final weeks of the season, should not dominate a team’s mindset. "Sometimes you hear ‘we have to score a load of goals,’ but if the opponent creates 72 chances and scores five, the goal difference becomes irrelevant. It’s about scoring and not conceding, not just about one side of the equation." Should City overcome Burnley, they will be level on points with Arsenal but will claim top spot thanks to a superior goal difference.
This scenario sets up a dramatic climax to the season, with both clubs aware that every point and every goal could prove decisive. Guardiola’s comments reflect a measured approach: focus on the basics, respect the opponent’s resolve, and let the results speak for themselves as the title race reaches its final, exhilarating stages.