Pep Guardiola makes Arsenal statement as Man City handed double injury boost

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Pep Guardiola insists that Manchester City are solely focusing on themselves as they welcome back Rodri and Abdukodir Khusanov from injury for the Premier League game against Crystal Palace on Wednesday.

City slipped five points behind league-leaders Arsenal on Sunday following their dramatic and controversial 1-0 win over West Ham . It means that the title is in the Gunners' hands and they will lift the trophy for the first time in 22 years if they win their remaining two games against Burnley and Palace.

Guardiola's side will finally play their long-held match in-hand when they host Palace at the Eithad Stadium on Wednesday night. City will then go to Wembley on Saturday to face Chelsea in the FA Cup final.

“It’s the same one as one day, two day, one week ago, two weeks ago, same one,” Guardiola said when asked at his pre-match press conference about City's mindset.

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Asked if Arsenal's win over West Ham altered things at all, he added: “Crystal Palace - and thinking what we have to do. As I always learned from my career as a manager what you can’t control, forget about it.

“[Focus] and do better what we have not done better this season to fight for the Premier League. We are still fighting and [next it’s] Crystal Palace.”

City have been boosted by the return to training of midfielder Rodri and defender Khusanov. Rodri has been absent since picking up an injury in the 2-1 win over Arsenal last month, while Khusanov missed the 3-0 win over Brentford with a knock.

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“Better. We will see in training this afternoon," Guardiola said when asked about Rodri. On Khusanov, he added: “Better as well. [He took a] tough knock against Beto when he played Everton . He’s better.”

Palace's main focus is on their Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano on May 27, but Guardiola insists they won't be a pushover for City. “Always it’s been a tough game, since Roy Hodgson especially and now Oliver,” he said.

“They have reach a final, a European final. Maybe they struggled a little bit in the Premier League with a lot of changes. The manager is leaving, they announced it a long time ago. Maybe they are not consistent but the quality is there. The patterns are there.”

Both teams may rotate their teams for Wednesday's game, with City facing four games in 12 days at the end of the season. Speaking after the win over Brentford on the weekend, Guardiola praised Omar Marmoush, Phil Foden and Savinho, suggesting that the substitutes may start against Palace.

"I know it's not easy for them, but I'm pretty sure the next games they're going to play," he said. "I want to rotate the team. Because otherwise we cannot arrive in the final or Bournemouth a little bit...We'll see the result tomorrow and after we take our decisions."

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