Pep Guardiola makes Arsenal claim as Phil Foden delivers new title warning

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Evening Standard

·14 maggio 2026

Pep Guardiola makes Arsenal claim as Phil Foden delivers new title warning

Gunners remain in driving seat but gap has narrowed ahead of blockbuster final week in Premier League

Pep Guardiola insists that Arsenal still hold all the cards in the Premier League title race despite Manchester City’s win over Crystal Palace.

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City won their crucial game in hand easily 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night, despite a sluggish start having made six personnel changes ahead of the FA Cup final showdown with Chelsea as the likes of Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki were all named on the bench.

Phil Foden shone with two assists - including a stunning backheel - ahead of England’s World Cup squad selection on his first Premier League start in more than two months, with Antoine Semenyo, Omar Marmoush and Savinho on target.

The result saw City move back within two points of leaders Arsenal with both sides now having two matches left to play this season, with the former also now boasting a marginally better goal difference.

It means Arsenal cannot clinch the title on home soil with a victory over relegated Burnley next Monday night, though if they win that game then City will have to beat high-flying Bournemouth away 24 hours later in order to take the fight to the final day, when Arsenal go to Crystal Palace and City host Aston Villa.

Addressing the latest title picture after brushing aside Palace, Guardiola reiterated that Arsenal still control their own destiny as he insisted that all City can do is try and position themselves as best they can to take advantage of any slip-up.

“Depends on them [Arsenal],” he told BBC Match of the Day. “If they win two games - nothing to do, nothing to talk. All we can be is in there just in case. The last two games are tough.”

Star of the show: Phil Foden was named man of the match as Manchester City eased past Crystal Palace

Discussing his bold changes paying off against Palace, Guardiola said: “Because we won, right? I trust all of them a lot. Sometimes it is for the way we play, sometimes it is shape.

“Omar is always there, the work ethic, the goals. We played really, really good. I know their transitions are top, the set-pieces. It is difficult because they defend really well in the low block. it is tough but we did it with patience. We made the game we should play.”

It was a timely man-of-the-match display from Foden, giving England head coach Thomas Tuchel plenty of food for thought before he names his final 26-man World Cup squad on May 22.

The 25-year-old said that City will continue to “keep Arsenal on their toes” as he warned that anything can happen on the unpredictable final day of the season.

“It's a team game at the end of the day, if you want to win titles and trophies it's about a full squad and everyone playing their part,” he told Sky Sports. “The aim is to keep pushing and keep them on their toes.

“We've seen a lot of things can happen on the final day. I've experienced it many times when the game doesn't go your way. We just have to keep pushing and doing our part.”