Pep Guardiola has labeled Manchester City’s upcoming Premier League match against title rivals Arsenal at the Etihad on March 31 as a ‘final’.
Both teams are in a close race for the title with Liverpool, with only 10 games left.
Arsenal are currently at the top of the table with 64 points – ahead of second-placed Liverpool on goal difference – while City are third with 63 points.
City have won five of the last six Premier League titles, and Arsenal challenged them last season before falling short in the end.
Arsenal won against City in a penalty shootout to lift the Community Shield in August and also beat Guardiola’s team 1-0 at the Emirates in October.
However, Arsenal lost 4-1 in their last game at the Etihad in April, and Guardiola hopes his team can win in front of their home fans again.
‘We have a final against Arsenal,’ Guardiola said when asked about the upcoming match.
‘But for now we rest. I don’t want to think about the future – it has been such an intense period.
‘With the players [going on international duty] a change of environment is good, some of them will be allowed to see their families.
‘When we come back, we have three days to prepare for the game against Arsenal. Let’s go.'
