Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City will hand Arsenal the Premier League if his side lose at home to Leicester City on Saturday.
The reigning champions sit six points behind pacesetters Arsenal and host Mikel Arteta’s side on April 26 in what a potential title decider.
City welcome struggling Leicester to the Etihad on Saturday evening in what should be a routine victory that will leave Guardiola’s side three points off the Gunners – who face West Ham less than 24 hours later.
Guardiola has said his side cannot afford to lose to the Foxes, and if they do, they will surrender their league title to Arsenal.
On the title race and City’s form, the Spaniard said: “Consistency and the fact that we are winning games and we could not do it earlier in the season.
“Our good games were really, really good as well but we were not consistent. Everyone knows if we lose those games we will not win the title and that is why our intentions and details are higher.
“It is the same tomorrow, if we lose the game we will not be champions.
“If we win we could still be there because we cannot forget we are six points behind Arsenal a team that has dropped few points throughout the season and play one game a week with a lot of time to recover and analyse.
“It will be difficult to win and drop points, that is why we have to be there as much as possible.
“No, in general [we haven’t done anything different] they are the second most consistent team in the league so it is not bad at all.
“Our problem is Arsenal was amazing so far. They do really well but our performance in general is not bad at all. I would say it is not a disaster. We are still there but there is another one better than you, you have to accept it and admit it and keep going.
“Honestly I don’t know [whether Arsenal’s schedule will play a factor].
“Sometimes I will experience every four days games and we are in a rythmn and this helps us. We will play a lot of competitions to the end and it helps us. Sometimes we play one week lose the rythmn when it is a week.
On if City’s past success will have an impact on the title race, Guardiola said: “The only impact I believe is the fact that everyone knows that if we lose it is over. It is the best way to compete. This is when you have the best.
“The reality is we are six points behind no guarantee we will win the games behind.
“There is no team better than Brighton in modern football. Arsenal is no guarantee. We need to win our games, that is the reality. At the end of the games we will see the reality.”
Ex-Aston Villa boss Dean Smith will take charge of his first Leicester match at the Etihad and Guardiola has said he knows how “exceptional” he is having heard it first hand from former Villans captain Jack Grealish.
“It is not easy firstly I am really happy he is back. I know from Jack how exceptional he is. I know the good vibes he creates.
“We have to adapt immediately after 10/15 minutes. I have no idea what he will do. They are in a difficult situation. Definitely only focusing on this game.”
Guardiola was asked about City’s reported interest in Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham, and he was having none of it.
“How many press conferences you come here? You know you need to prepare better. Next question,” he responded.
Meanwhile, City are still without England midfielder Phil Foden, who underwent appendix surgery last month.
Guardiola said: “I spoke to the doctor three days ago and he feels better but still he is not ready.”
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