Pep Guardiola fires Man City Premier League title warning ahead of Arsenal showdown

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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reckons the title race will be finished for his team if they suffer defeat on Saturday against West Ham United. City currently sit seven points behind Premier League pacesetters Arsenal heading into this weekend's matches.

That lead will stretch to 10 points if the Gunners beat Everton at home on Saturday (5:30 GMT) before City take on Nuno Espirito Santo's side a few hours later (8:00 GMT). However, has a game in hand, and the two sides are set to do battle in a huge title decider at the Etihad Stadium next month.

Both clubs are in the hunt for an unprecedented quadruple this campaign as they battle for the Premier League, Champions League , FA Cup and Carabao Cup. However, City's ambitions of securing that historic achievement took a huge blow following their 3-0 defeat in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 encounter with Real Madrid .

Arsenal's clash against Bayer Leverkusen, by contrast, remains finely poised with Mikel Arteta's outfit securing a 1-1 draw from the opening leg in Germany.

And Guardiola sought to redirect all focus towards domestic action in Friday's pre-match press conference as City aim to maintain the pressure on Arsenal with maximum points at the London Stadium.

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He said: "Now it's West Ham that defines the Premier League. The league is the most difficult title. I believe it's the most difficult one. Now we go there knowing that if we drop points, it will be over."

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The 55-year-old has conceded that his squad now heads into an important part of the season, aware that any misstep could be detrimental to their aspirations of lifting a trophy.

He added: "I've always said when we arrive in the last 10 games every team plays for something. For relegation, for Europa League , for Conference League, for Champions League, to be champions.

"It's a pleasure to be here. Last season we could not be here [fighting for the title]. It's normal, every game. Now there are no second chances."

On the other hand, Arteta has sidestepped any discussion about a potential quadruple for his team when questioned on the subject during Friday's pre-match press briefing.

He said: "If you had an hour seat from competition to competition, we're going to play in seven days in three different competitions so that drags you from one to another.

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