Pep Guardiola has claimed the Premier League title race will be over if Manchester City lose to Arsenal on Sunday.
The Gunners visit the Etihad Stadium with a six-point advantage over the Citizens, but City have a game in hand over their title rivals.
All the momentum is also with City, who defeated Chelsea 3-0 last weekend while Arsenal lost at home to Bournemouth.
City are unbeaten in their last 14 Premier League home games, since losing 2-0 against Tottenham in their opening match at the Etihad this term. They have netted at least twice in 12 of these 14 games.
City are also unbeaten in their last 10 Premier League home games against Arsenal (W7 D3) since a 2-0 loss in January 2015 under Manuel Pellegrini.
"Yes, obviously. If we lose, it is over," said Guardiola in his pre-match press conference.
"The other two results, knowing that Arsenal didn't beat Bournemouth – we still have games to play. Six games is a lot and especially in our calendar.
"Everton away, Bournemouth away, Aston Villa the last game at home. Crystal Palace and Brentford. There are still many things to do."
Gearing up for the Gunners pic.twitter.com/wT8zAa6zUl
— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 16, 2026
Arsenal have lost their last three matches in domestic competitions, against City in the EFL Cup final, Southampton in the FA Cup, and Bournemouth in the Premier League.
They last lost four consecutively in February and March 2018, which included defeats to City in both the EFL Cup final and the Premier League.
Guardiola praised the job Mikel Arteta has done since he took over at the Emirates Stadium in 2019, insisting the north London side were in a difficult position at the time.
"The last two or three seasons, he has already had many years there and every season they are getting better and better," Guardiola said of Arteta's work.
"When he took over the club, they had problems and troubles.
"Last season, of course, Liverpool made an incredible three quarters of the season and were unstoppable.
"In the previous one and this season, Arsenal have been the biggest contender."