Guardiola thinks Tottenham game is win or bust
Manchestercitymanagerpep Guardiola insists winning is their only option at Tottenham tonight as they seek to reclaim the advantage in the final week of the Premier League title race.
The trip to north London, where City have lost in their last four Premier League visits, offers the opportunity to open up a two-point gap over Arsenal at the top of the table heading into Sunday's conclusion and keep hopes of an unprecedented fourth successive title in their hands.
A comparison of the two clubs' recent form – City have won seven in a row and not lost in the league since early December while Spurs' victory over Burnley on Saturday was their first in five outings – seemingly points to only one outcome.
But Guardiola said the game was not without jeopardy. “It's obvious. We have just one option: win the game. We travel for that,” he said.
“I felt from what happened in the past with the way we were playing against Liverpool [in their epic title races] I said 'Either we win, win, win or it will be over'.
“I had the feeling to beat Arsenal is so difficult because they make very good things in all departments and are difficult to beat so if we have the chance for it to depend on us we have to use it.
“I have a theory as a manager that what we did yesterday is over. The mindset is easy because if we don't win, we don't win the Premier League.”
Guardiola – whose side host West Ham on Sunday – brushed off their previous problems at the Tottenham stadium and stressed the chance to make history would not make things any more difficult for his side, considering the experience they have garnered from three successive title wins and being pushed to the line by Liverpool a couple of times previously.
“Many times we have played really good and not been able to score and win the games,” he added. “You have to do something special, exceptional, and it has never happened in the Premier League we have to do it this time.
“Now is the time to do it otherwise Arsenal will be champions. The right tension and focus has to be there. If we play these games relaxed, it's a big problem.”
Winger Jack Grealish has returned from illness while defender Nathan Ake, whose foot injury is not serious according to Guardiola, will be tested in training to see whether he is fit enough to return. Tottenham will be without midfielder Yves Bissouma due to a knee injury.
Arsenal, of course, are Spurs’ arch-rivals and there has been a lot of talk that Tottenham supporters would be happy to see their team lose tonight if it meant denying the Gunners the title. Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou is having none of it.
“If you're going by social media then probably 99 per cent of supporters don't [want Spurs to win],” Postecoglou said. “To me, I don't understand it, I never will. I understand the rivalry but I've never and will never understand if someone wants their own team to lose. That's not what sport is about. It's not what I love about the game.”