'This is a new team': Man City deliver new ominous message to Arsenal after Liverpool win | OneFootball

The focus shifts back to the Premier League title race next weekend

Manchester City assistant manager Pep Lijnders has issued a fresh warning to Arsenal over the Premier League title race.

Arsenal currently sit nine points clear at the top of the table, though have played a game more than Man City and still have to visit the Etihad Stadium in what could be a decisive fixture.

City landed a blow to the Gunners by ending their dream of an unprecedented quadruple in the Carabao Cup final last month and then thumped Liverpool on Saturday to reach the FA Cup semi-final.

A hat-trick from Erling Haaland and a strike from Antoine Semenyo was further proof that City have renewed belief for the run-in and Lijnders has revealed the Carabao Cup final win has lifted the mood within the squad.

Speaking after the 4-0 win over Liverpool, Lijnders issued an ominous warning to Arsenal: "I always believe the Carabao Cup is such an important competition for the whole structure of the club, a lot of players make debuts or get minutes. It is unbelievable you can get minutes in February or March.

"Winning a final against Arsenal, especially in the way we did, creates more hunger for us because you know you can do it.

“This is a new team and it is a credit for them how we are all winning together.

"There are two things sure in Manchester: the weather is not good and Pep doing meetings with the team.

Erling Haaland scored a hat-trick in Man City’s win over Liverpool

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“The main thing is our senior players own it and the responsibility of that group and then good things go when Bernardo, Ruben, Rodri, Erling continue to see each game as a final."

Man City are back in action next weekend as they face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge a day after Arsenal host Bournemouth.

The following weekend sees the top two face off at the Etihad and City will be well aware that anything but victory would see their title hopes fade even further.