Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has angered Arsenal fans by insisting the Gunners have won ‘the most important title of the season’ by qualifying for the Champions League.
Arsenal are top of the Premier League table and sit two points clear of Man City, though the reigning champions retain two games in hand.
The expectation is Man City will win enough of their remaining games to clinch a third successive title, while Arsenal could end the season having spent a record number of days top without finishing in first.
Tensions have grown between Man City and Arsenal this season due to this newfound competitive rivalry, and Guardiola has stoked the fires with a rather condescending notion that Mikel Arteta’s side have already won a title of sorts.
“We see how relentless was and is Arsenal. Arsenal for seven years, no Champions League qualification, it’s the perspective, no? Maybe the mood is a bit down,” Guardiola said.
“After seven years, they won the most important title of the season for the club, to qualify for next season’s Champions League. Because financially, prestigious, new signings, many things, it’s the most important title today by far. And it’s already there.
“They lost the last game [against Man City], ‘oh they are sad’, I’m pretty sure they have to be so happy because they make an incredible achievement.”
Man City have a bit of margin for error in pursuit of the title due to their two games in hand on Arsenal, while they also boast a superior goal difference.
They host struggling West Ham and Leeds this week before travelling to Real Madrid for the first leg of their Champions League semi-final.
Guardiola’s men head to Everton prior to that second leg. Their last home game comes against Chelsea and they will end the Premier League season with trips to Brighton and Brentford.
Rivals Man Utd await Man City in the FA Cup final, and their season could conclude with the Champions League final against Milan or Inter.
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