Pep Guardiola speaks candidly about Arsenal and Chelsea as Manchester City still chases Premier League and FA Cup titles.
On 14 May 2026 GMT+7, Pep Guardiola, manager of Manchester City, spoke after the postponed English Premier League match in which City comfortably defeated Crystal Palace 3-0 at home, despite changing six of the starting eleven players.
This win allowed Manchester City to close the gap to league leaders Arsenal to just 2 points, with a better goal difference, while both teams have two matches remaining.
1. Arsenal (36 matches) 79 points (68 goals for, 26 against, goal difference +42)
2. Manchester City (36 matches) 77 points (75 goals for, 32 against, goal difference +43)
Pep Guardiola commented on the title race with Arsenal in the last two matches: "Now it depends on Arsenal. If they win both games, there’s nothing to do and nothing to say. We can only wait for our chance. The final two matches will be very tough."
Regarding the FA Cup final where Manchester City will face Chelsea on Saturday, 16 May, he said, "What we can do is go to bed as early as possible and prepare for the FA Cup. That’s what we have to do."
"The FA Cup is a highly prestigious trophy. We lost the last two finals because we didn’t play well enough. We will go there to win. We must be ready physically and mentally to face a team that hasn’t had its best season, but their quality remains."
"Of course, they will give their all, and we must do the same to try to win."