Pep Guardiola reveals secret to fine Man City form as Arsenal verdict issued amid tense title race

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Evening Standard

·12 April 2026

Pep Guardiola reveals secret to fine Man City form as Arsenal verdict issued amid tense title race

One factor affects City more than any other...

Pep Guardiola believes the sunny weather explains why Manchester City often win the title race — but still feels Arsenal are the best team in the country and in Europe.

Manchester City have a game in hand on Premier League leaders Arsenal but closed the gap to just six points with a handsome 3-0 victory away to Chelsea on Sunday afternoon.

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Guardiola’s side scored three second-half goals through Nico O’Reilly, Marc Guehi and Jeremy Doku to pile the pressure on Arsenal, who are hoping to finally get over the line and avoid a fourth successive second-place finish.

City appear to be coming into form at just the right time, having beaten Arsenal to the Carabao Cup title, thrashed Liverpool 4-0 in the FA Cup, and now swatted Chelsea aside in their last three games.

“We’ve done a good three games but the best team in England is Arenal,” Guardiola said.

“The numbers are there. We will prepare well this week. We’ll adjust from the Carabao Cup. What defines the teams is how you play. If you don’t grow as a team in the way you play you won’t win.”

Recalling the Carabao Cup final, which his side won 2-0 at Wembley, he said: “We were underdogs, and that was perfect. Now it’s different and we have to know that.”

Guardiola’s City have won 29 of 32 Premier League matches in the month of April since he took charge in the summer of 2016.

Asked why his side tend to come good when it matters, he said: “The sun. I’m not joking. The sun. In Manchester there is never the sun. Honestly, the mood is better. The mentality of the group.

“The hierarchy gave me the mentality of amazing players. That is the key to success.”