Manchester City are relying on a favour from others to win a fourth successive
Premier League title after they could only draw with
Arsenal at the Etihad on a Sunday. The first goalless draw at the stadium since September 2021 left the title out of City's hands, with Liverpool's victory earlier in the day giving them a two-point advantage over Arsenal and a three-point lead over City. Guardiola said the Reds were now "clear favourites" to win the title in Jurgen Klopp's final season. It was also the first time City had failed to score in a home game in 57 attempts, a stat that Mikel Arteta quickly rolled out in his post-match media obligations. Arsenal have stopped the Blues from scoring in both league games this season and you can see why he would be proud of that achievement. ALSO READ: Guardiola's Taylor verdict amid Man City frustration with Arsenal tactics ALSO READ: Guardiola makes surprise City claim amid Arsenal and
Liverpool verdict Ake latest There was plenty of confusion when the City bus rolled into Etihad around an hour and 20 minutes before kick-off on Sunday.
Pep Guardiola had ruled John Stones out on Friday and said Ederson was "much, much better", but it was Stones who strolled into the stadium while Ederson was nowhere to be seen. The Brazilian goalkeeper has trained and it's understood he hasn't suffered a setback, but wasn't quite fit enough for this game. The fact Stones didn't come on and wasn't called on to replace Nathan Ake might suggest his place amongst the subs was ceremonial and that he was never likely to feature. Ake's early withdrawal is another defensive injury blow for City and Guardiola didn't know the extent of the problem when he spoke to the media post-match. His next press conference on Tuesday should reveal more. Guardiola's threat to kill Despite seeing his grip on the title loosened, Guardiola was still in a relaxed mood in his post-match press conference at the Etihad. In his first answer, he mentioned the difficulties of facing Arsenal's low block and how it had stopped his side from creating chances. Pressed for a solution, he thought for a moment and then replied: "Kill someone." Even Anthony Taylor would get the cards out for that. Bernardo gets a nice surprise Despite finding themselves in third with nine games to go and needing Liverpool and Arsenal to slip up if they are to have a chance of retaining the title, nobody at City is waving the white flag. In fact, Bernardo Silva's optimism about reeling in the teams above City increased during his post-match interview with Sky Sports. “A lot can happen now, because [there are] seven games, right?” he said when asked about the title race. He was quickly corrected and the smile on his face suggested it was the best news he had heard all day. “Oh nine? That’s better for us,” he added. “I thought it was like seven or eight but nine is better because a lot can happen." The reporter then asked: “Back in it?” to which Silva responded: “Yeah, we’re back in it.” Arteta's insight Arteta cut a proud figure in his own media duties after the match and you can see why. When Arsenal lost 4-1 here 11 months ago it was a blow as damaging pathologically as it was in terms of the table and the title challenge petered out. This time they showed they won't go down without a fight. They have been a free-scoring side of late with domination of possession and territory, but they had to abandon those principles at the Etihad to stay in the game and he offered an interesting answer when asked how his team dealt with seeing less of the ball than usual. "Clarity," he said. "Are you ready to follow 30 passes? And then after regaining the ball, lose it and follow another 30 passes? Yes? If so then you are ready to play
Manchester City . It’s that important. If you’re not ready to do that then you cannot play them." Banner anger City fans stepped up their
protests against season ticket price rises on Sunday, displaying a banner before kick-off in the South Stand that read: 'Record profits but record prices. Stop exploiting our loyalty.' It caught the attention of the world's media in the press box but shortly before kick-off it was removed by stewards. The 1894 group, who were behind the banner, said it had been "confiscated" by City and called on club officials to talk to fans rather than getting defensive. City sources pointed out after the game that it was removed in line with club policy because it was blocking sight of the digital advertising boards around the ground. But one much smaller banner in the tier above stayed in place and pictures have since circulated on
Social Media of banners with a positive message being draped over advertising boards. The anger over season ticket prices and the disappointment with the club's reaction to supporters doesn't look likely to go away. Phillips' woes continue It was another tough weekend for Kalvin Phillips, who hasn't found West Ham the haven he might have hoped for when departing City on loan in January. The midfielder is yet to rediscover any kind of form at the Olympic Stadium and his latest cameo was once again disappointing. He came on during the Hammers' 4-3 defeat to Newcastle in one of the games of the season but conceded a penalty for kicking Anthony Gordon when attempting to clear the ball. Later footage emerged on social media of Phillips boarding the West Ham team bus, but not before he had given the middle finger to a fan who had called him "useless". You can't blame the midfielder for responding and he is going through a tough patch at the moment.
Netflix release Tuesday marks the release of the Netflix documentary 'Together: Treble Winners', a behind-the-scenes look filmed in-house at City's momentous 2023/23 season. It's going to be unmissable for supporters who went along for the ride last season and the
trailer released over the weekend showed footage from inside the dressing room at half-time in the Ataturk Stadium, with Guardiola talking to his players and Erling Haaland delivering some words of motivation.