“We’re on the hunt” – Tijjani Reijnders sends title race warning to Arsenal amid Manchester City purple patch | OneFootball

Manchester City midfielder Tijjani Reijnders has sent a rallying call to his teammates to progress their hunt for Premier League leaders Arsenal in the run-in.

City have cut Arsenal’s lead at the top of the table to four points following a recent overturn in fortunes, having avoided defeat in their last seven games in all competitions and sparked a renewed title challenge after a thrilling, late comeback win at Anfield.

The tide is changing at the Etihad Stadium after a poor January that saw the Blues suffer frustrating draws against Sunderland, Chelsea and Brighton and avoid the UEFA Champions League play-off stage by the skin of their teeth.

The Blues won their fourth game in succession against Salford City at the weekend as they registered their berth in the FA Cup fifth round, having already set up a Carabao Cup final date with Arsenal for March 22 at Wembley.

Speaking after City’s FA Cup fourth round win at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon, Tijjani Reijnders reflected on his side’s recent turn in form and the title race battle with Arsenal.

“The mood’s been good, but it was good before (recent results),” the Netherlands international said, as quoted by PA. “Of course we’ve dropped some points as well but it’s good and we are on the hunt (for Arsenal) and we keep going. We have to see of course, but if we keep going like this, who knows?”

Reijnders made a fast start to life at the Etihad Stadium after signing from AC Milan for £45 million last summer. After being in and out of the starting XI in the autumn of 2025, the midfielder is back playing regularly under Pep Guardiola.

“Luckily I’ve played many games already at Manchester City and the coach gave me time to adapt as well, but I really like it. I like the Premier League and especially I like the team where I’m playing now,” Reijnders added.

Guardiola gave his players three days off after Saturday’s win as Manchester City enjoy a rare midweek off, which will give them a chance to rest and recover ahead of this weekend’s Premier League meeting with Newcastle United.

The Blues are in a rich vein of form and have welcomed key players such as Ruben Dias and John Stones from injury of late, with Jeremy Doku and Savinho also close to a return to action.

Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi have seamlessly integrated into Guardiola’s first-team ranks, with Max Alleyne – who also returned to City midway through a season-long loan at Watford in January – also handed a start against Salford City at the weekend.

However, the 20-year-old went off with injury after 21 minutes of action and while Guardiola will want all hands on deck, especially in defence, as the season progresses, the returns of Dias and Stones will instil great confidence in the Manchester City manager over the Blues’ silverware prospects.