Jamie Redknapp says he knows what Pep Guardiola has told three Crystal Palace players ahead of Arsenal clash

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The Premier League title race is heading towards a dramatic finish.

Arsenal remain two points clear at the top of the table with just two games left to play. Mikel Arteta’s side still have to face Burnley and Crystal Palace before the season comes to an end.

While very few people expect Burnley to seriously trouble Arsenal, Palace are viewed as a far more dangerous opponent.

Pep Guardiola certainly seems to think so, and Jamie Redknapp believes the Manchester City boss has already tried to fire them up for that game.

Jamie Redknapp says Pep Guardiola gave Crystal Palace players a message about Arsenal

After Manchester City beat Crystal Palace recently, Guardiola was seen speaking animatedly with several Palace players on the pitch after full-time.

The City manager appeared extremely passionate during those conversations, which immediately sparked speculation among supporters and pundits.

Many assumed Guardiola was trying to motivate Palace ahead of their upcoming clash against Arsenal in the title race run-in.

Redknapp believes he knows exactly what Guardiola may have been saying.

Speaking about the scenes after the game, he said, as per The Metro: “I think Burnley will be straightforward [for Arsenal] but Crystal Palace…

“I was watching Pep at the end of the game, and he was certainly giving them a team talk and a half, trying to get them going for that game. He was very, very animated.

“We always see him maybe going up to one or two players. But he’s like, ‘Jefferson [Lerma], listen, in midfield, you’ve got to make sure you get close to Declan Rice’.

“‘You, [Maxence] Lacroix, you’ve been brilliant this season, keep going! If you keep doing good, I’ll sign you! Adam [Wharton], you control that midfield!’”

Whether Guardiola actually said those exact words or not, there is no doubt he will be desperate for Palace to take points off Arsenal.

Pep Guardiola’s Crystal Palace pep talk may end up being pointless

Despite Palace being capable of causing Arsenal problems, Guardiola’s motivational speech may ultimately prove useless.

The reason is that the Eagles have another huge game on the horizon. Just a few days after facing Arsenal, Palace will play in the Europa Conference League final.

That match will almost certainly take priority for Oliver Glasner and his players.

Because of that, there is a strong possibility Palace will rest several key players against Arsenal to avoid injuries and fatigue.

Players like Lacroix and Wharton may not even start, which would massively weaken Palace’s chances of troubling the Gunners.