Pep Guardiola said Arsenal's late win over West Ham United did not add extra pressure on Manchester City as the Premier League title race tightened. Arsenal stayed five points clear, while City remained second with a game in hand at the time of the reports. [1, 2]
Guardiola said City had to focus on what they could control and improve their own performances. He said: "What I've learned from my career as a manager is, what you cannot control, forget about it," and added: "Same one as two days, three days, four days ago." [1]
City were due to face Crystal Palace, who Guardiola described as a difficult opponent despite their 15th-place position and a four-match winless run in the top flight. He also said Palace had a European final against Rayo Vallecano on May 27 and warned they would be fully focused for the league game. [1, 2]
Guardiola said injured midfielder Rodri and defender Abdukodir Khusanov were feeling better, but he did not say whether either would be fit to play against Palace. He also said City may need to rotate because of Saturday's FA Cup final against Chelsea and the trip to Bournemouth that follows. [1, 2]
ESPN later reported City beat Palace 3-0 on Wednesday and moved to within two points of Arsenal. The outlet said Guardiola rested Erling Haaland, Jérémy Doku and Rayan Cherki because of fatigue, and quoted him saying: "All we can be is in there just in case" and "It [the title] depends on them [Arsenal]." [3]
