The carrot was dangled in front of Manchester City – how would they react to Arsenal‘s shock loss on Saturday?
That question was emphatically answered by Pep Guardiola’s men on Sunday – with a statement 3-0 win at Chelsea which blew the Premier League title race wide open.
While Arsenal are faltering, City are growing in strength and, after moving within six points of the leaders with a game in hand, the signs are looking ominous for the red side of north London.
City’s cheers would have been heard all the way from west London – and the ferocity with which Guardiola, his players and the travelling fans celebrated showed how important a victory this was.
Arsenal have a Champions League tie to contend with on Wednesday, but City’s attention will now fully turn to next Sunday’s meeting against Mikel Arteta’s side with the tantalising prospect of further reducing the deficit.
City have hit form in the past three games, scoring nine goals against Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea without conceding, claiming the Carabao Cup and reaching the FA Cup semi-finals during that period.
“We have done a good three games, but the best team in England is Arsenal and the best team in Europe is Arsenal,” said Guardiola.
“The numbers are there with the consistency they had. We will prepare well this week.
“We will adjust from the Carabao Cup final and what we have to do with our people to perform well. What defines the teams is how you play.”