Arsenal have one thing Manchester City do not have, admits Pep Guardiola

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has admitted Arsenal could have one crucial element that his side do not have in the Premier League title race.

Selhurst Park provided a typical test for Manchester City, as the reigning Champions dominated proceedings but struggled to find the crucial breakthrough until a late moment in the contest.

Winning a penalty through a foul on club captain Ilkay Gundogan, Manchester City were presented with a golden opportunity to take away a crucial three points from south London.

Erling Haaland was the man for the big moment, and the Norwegian centre-forward cooly slotted home what turned out to be the winning goal of the match, and the former Borussia Dortmund striker’s 28th goal of the ongoing Premier League season.

While the three points meant Manchester City moved to within three points of their competitors at the top of the table, Arsenal responded clinically on Sunday afternoon with a 0-3 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Speaking after a gritty 0-1 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday evening, Pep Guardiola admitted that not only are Arsenal still favourites in the race for the league crown, but that the Gunners also have one thing that City do not.

“Still, Arsenal are the favourites because they are in front, they have five points in front,” said the Manchester City manager. “They have made an incredible first-leg (of the season), they dropped a little bit but they came back again.”

“They have had many years not winning the Premier League, and this extra wins you games in the 93rd minute, 96th minute, sorry 98th minute. So that is something they have that we don’t have because we won back-to-back two times.”

Guardiola continued, “That’s why when people say what is your opinion about the team or the season, after two times winning back-to-back (Premier League titles), against one team who made 50 points in the first-leg, still: We. Are. There.”

The Catalan coach was swift to continue by piling on the praise for his squad of players, stating that it is ‘great’ that Arsenal will be aware of Manchester City’s unwavering desire to compete for the top-flight crown until the very last minute of the season.

“Normally in this country, when you win something a lot and you start to not start well a season, or someone is maybe better, you drop it. You are not this consistency. And still we are there. This is the best trophy, and compliment, that we can have.”

“I don’t know what is going to happen at the end of the season. But still they know that we want to be there, and we will fight to be there, and this is great.”