Erling Haaland let a crucial area of Manchester City’s training ground slip amid the Premier League title race.
Man City have entered the January transfer window in a bid to strengthen Pep Guardiola’s options.
Given that this could be Guardiola’s last season, Man City are pulling out all the stops to prevent Arsenal from winning the league, currently sitting six points behind the Gunners.
Mikel Arteta has been beaten to the title twice by Man City in the previous three seasons, giving the Arsenal manager an additional incentive to go all the way.
This year, things seem different, particularly as it appears that Man City are truly bothered by Arsenal’s presence.
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Fill the blanks: Arsenal will get __ points from these games and Manchester City will get __.
Manchester City are motivating themselves to catch Arsenal in the Premier League title race
In previous years, it would be fair to think of Arsenal as Man City’s little brother, being a level below Guardiola’s squad despite pushing for the title.
Now, the Gunners are showing form and quality that is currently setting them apart from others in the league, prompting City to up their motivation.
Erling Haaland recently met with Khabib Nurmagomedov, sharing a picture on Instagram to mark the occasion.
In the background of the photo, behind Khabib’s shoulder, was a poster featuring a quote to motivate the Man City squad, which read the following:
“The pressure, the chase, the difficulties. We’ve been here before. Pushed to the absolute limit and still taking everything. That has always been our spirit. We don’t fold. We don’t panic. We don’t quit. We adapt. We respond.”
Some of the message was masked behind Khabib, but the final line read, “We are not weaklings. We are Manchester City Football Club.”
City’s message to the players is one of confidence, referencing how they’ve turned title races around before, but will it be enough this year?
Pep Guardiola knows that Arsenal are getting stronger
It’s not only Arsenal’s squad depth that’s made them a stronger team to face this year, but also experience and Arteta’s game management.
Tell us the main difference between this season and last season but you CAN’T say squad depth
What has changed at Arsenal?
Brick by brick, the Arsenal boss has been aiming to make his side evolve, which Guardiola thinks the Gunners are doing.
“The last two or three seasons, they have been so strong, and they are getting stronger and stronger. They are,” Guardiola said in his pre-Brighton press conference.
Guardiola’s words aren’t just opinion; they’re fact, as the numbers reveal, with Arsenal clearing hurdles that they hit last season.
It won’t be as easy for Man City to derail Arsenal’s dream this season, but it’s not impossible, making the title race one to behold as the campaign progresses.
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