Pep Guardiola demands Arsenal respect ahead of blockbuster title showdown

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Pep Guardiola praised his “mentality” monsters after they closed the gap on Arsenal - and then insisted next Sunday’s title showdown will be a “final.”

Manchester City blew Chelsea away with a second half demolition to close the gap on Arsenal to just six points with a game in hand.

Guardiola ’s men also face the Gunners at the Etihad next Sunday and he warned Arsenal will be a huge test but is full of confidence.

Guardiola said: “The second half was extraordinary because we had the mindset. It wasn’t tactics. We know each other for a long time and the players showed a good mentality to win here, which is never easy.

“The past was something unique, but we are growing. We have long weeks now we are out of Champions League . We are more fresh, in training, everyone knows exactly what they have to do.

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“We’ll see what happens next. Arsenal is a final but don’t tell me Brentford the next week will be easy. There are many things that are going to happen. I just said yesterday to the players they must relax.

“They have been the best team in this country, in Europe, so far. Beating Arsenal once is so difficult, imagine beating them twice in a few weeks. We have to rest.

“I would like to say to my fans - respect Arsenal a lot, they are an extraordinary team. Come to join us from minute one because the players will do the maximum.

“The mentality of the group. The hierarchy gave me the mentality of amazing players. that is the key to success. Always I felt in the last month and a half. Winning a lot in modern times is so complicated. We have a chance to prove ourselves again next week.”

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Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior rued his team’s second half collapse as Nico O’Reilly, Marc Guehi and Jeremy Doku were on target to leave the Blues in serious danger of missing out on the Champions League.

Rosenior again left out Enzo Fernandez as the captain was punished for flirting with Real Madrid but the Chelsea boss seemed to suggest some regret.

Rosenior added: “Possibly, in hindsight, you see 20-20 in hindsight. Enzo's a top player and honestly he's a top character and I'm looking forward to having him back next week.

“Sometimes you make decisions not based on the short-term, you make decisions based on what you want to see long-term.

“Right now we are still in the race for the Champions League. We still have the possibility to win the FA Cup . I have to change it now. I'm not a manager that hides behind maybe we need to do something with other players in the transfer market. I need to change it now. That's why I'm here.”