by Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says Arsenal’s long wait for the Premier League title is helping them score late goals and insists the Gunners are still favorites for the domestic crown.
Arsenal’s 3-0 win at Fulham on Sunday meant they restored their five-point lead over second-placed City with eleven games to go.
The Gunners’ recent win was more routine compared to the recent 3-2 win over Bournemouth, where Reiss Nelson scored a 97th-minute winner, or last month’s thrilling 4-2 win at Aston Villa.
Guardiola argued that Arsenal’s long drought for a Premier League title, having not claimed the honor since 2003/04, fueled their faith late in games.
On the contrary, the Catalan felt City lacked that will after winning four of their last five league titles.
“You haven’t won the Premier League for many years and that gives you a little bit more to win games in ’93, ’96, ’98,” Guardiola told reporters.
“It’s something they have that we don’t have because we’ve won twice in a row.
“Therefore, when people say about your opinion of the team and the season, after two in a row and 50 points for our opponent in the first half, we’re still there.
“Usually in this country when you win a lot and you don’t start well or someone is a little bit better, you drop it. They’re not consistent. Still, we’re there. That’s the best trophy and compliment we can have .
“I don’t know what’s going to happen at the end of the season but they still know we want to be there and we’re going to fight for it and that’s great.”
The contrasting recent states of clubs amid Arsenal’s league title drought and City’s recent dominance have ensured that the Premier League’s favoritism has remained muted despite the Gunners’ leadership.
But Guardiola pushed the narrative that Arsenal were favorites even after City beat them 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium while the Gunners went three games without a win in February.
“Nevertheless, Arsenal are favorites because they’re up front,” said Guardiola. “They had an incredible first leg, they fell back a bit but now they’re coming back.”
Six of Arsenal’s remaining 11 league games at home but they will face City on April 26. The Gunners also face difficult trips to Liverpool and Newcastle United to host Chelsea as well.
City also have six home games in their last 11, including Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea.
