Pep Guardiola issues message to Arsenal after Premier League title win | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has sent his congratulations to the whole operation at Arsenal for their Premier League title success.

The result on the south coast officially marked the end of another enthralling title race, while events on the pitch had been overshadowed pre-match by staggering reports indicating an imminent Guardiola exit from the Etihad Stadium at the end of the season.

However, an exhausted Manchester City side were visibly outfought by Andoni Iraola’s brilliant Cherries, who extended their spectacular unbeaten streak to 17 matches and successfully secured European football for next season.

The match itself saw a raucous home crowd erupt late in the first half when teenage striking sensation Eli Junior Kroupi curled a magnificent effort past Gianluigi Donnarumma, and while City pushed hard in the second half – including a golden Nico O’Reilly chance thwarted by Djordje Petrovic – Erling Haaland scrambled home a late equaliser.

Ultimately, the single point leaves Manchester City four points adrift of top spot with just one match remaining, meaning the Gunners are set to lift their first league trophy in 22 years away at Crystal Palace at the weekend.

Pep Guardiola’s title win message to Arteta and Arsenal

Speaking to Sky Sports in the immediate aftermath of Manchester City’s 1-1 draw at Bournemouth to confirm Arsenal’s mathematical title victory, “On behalf of all Manchester City and my team, congratulations Arsenal, Mikel [Arteta], his staff, backroom staff, all the players, fans for this Premier League – they deserve it!”

Reflecting on the 90 minutes on the south coast, Guardiola said, “Tough game, we knew it. We missed a little bit the energy, that is normal – they had 12 days to prepare that game, a team that plays with this energy, and the players up front.

“But we had three days, three days, three days, travels, but we fought. First-half was really good, second-half we started really good… and after the substitutions didn’t make the impact that we needed, and they had chances. At the end, we found a goal, but it was too late.”

Addressing reporters during his post-match press conference, Guardiola said of the Premier League title battle with the Gunners, “We fought incredibly a lot, and yeah, prepare [for] next season.”

He continued, “Next season, we will be back, the City will be back, and we will try to bring the team in that sense; competing until the end in competitions.

“And sometimes you win, sometimes you lose because the opponents are really good, really tough. And this is what we have to try again.”

A pivotal summer of transition ahead?

Pep Guardiola’s swift declaration that “City will be back” offers a fascinating, defiant silver lining on a night of intense disappointment for the club’s travelling support, and off the back of a remarkable 48 hours indicating a change of manager at Manchester City.

While the 55-year-old openly conceded that the better side won the league over the 38-game distance, his emphasis on preparing for next season introduces a compelling twist to his own future.

Despite widespread media confirmation that an agreement in principle has been struck for Enzo Maresca to assume the head coaching role, Guardiola’s post-match hints at a deep institutional desire to ensure the squad is perfectly positioned for a rebuild regardless of who sits in the dugout.

The immediate focus for the Blues now narrows to a final-day home fixture against Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, in what could be a final opportunity for the fanbase to show gratitude to Guardiola for a decade of unparalleled success.