“Come on you Irons!” – Pep Guardiola’s hilarious press conference plea to West Ham ahead of Arsenal clash | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has urged West Ham to pull off an upset in their Premier League meeting with Arsenal on Sunday evening.

City cut Arsenal‘s lead at the top of the Premier League table to two points with a commanding 3-0 win over Brentford at the City in the Community Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening, keeping their slim title hopes alive heading into the final weeks of the season.

Arsenal’s trip to the London Stadium on Sunday now takes on enormous significance, a result that could either effectively end the title race with two games to spare for the Gunners – or set up a dramatic finale to the campaign.

Speaking in a press conference after Saturday’s win over Brentford, Guardiola was asked about West Ham‘s meeting with Arsenal on Sunday. His answer amounted to three words.

Guardiola: Come on you Irons!

“Come on you Irons,” Guardiola said.

It is the kind of moment that encapsulates everything about this title race, a manager who spent his pre-Brentford press conference insisting he would not be cheering on anyone other than his own team, now openly declaring his colours the moment City have done their part this weekend.

Earlier this week, Guardiola had joked about the suggestion he might wear a West Ham shirt ahead of Sunday’s game. By Saturday evening, the laughter had given way to something altogether more earnest.

On whether he is enjoying the title race, Guardiola added: “I love it! I love to be here again. We’ll finish second this season minimum, I love it, I love to be here.

“I didn’t enjoy last season in the moment we were fighting to qualify for the UEFA Champions League, it was so difficult. I love it; Carabao Cup in our pocket, we’ll play the FA Cup final in Wembley – the most beautiful game of the season – and I like it, I love it.

“Tension? No, no, no. When you arrive and have the feeling that the job has been good, well done! When you arrive there, fighting against Arsenal, being there all the time, after the many changes that happened, the spirit of the team, how they help each other. It’s a joy to work with them. And how they fight, how the experienced players help, it’s really good!”

What is at stake for City on the final weekend?

Having dropped two crucial points against Everton earlier this week, City returned to winning ways against Brentford courtesy of second-half strikes from Jeremy Doku, Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush.

Should Arsenal drop points at the London Stadium on Sunday, City will have the chance of going top of the Premier League by beating Crystal Palace at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night.

For now, Guardiola and his players can only wait. They have played their part. The next move belongs to West Ham.