‘We are lucky,’ says Pep Guardiola of Liverpool after their win over Arsenal last night.

Pep Guardiola believes his Manchester City team was ‘lucky’ to be pushed on by Liverpool in recent seasons

City took the lead in the Premier League title race last night, defeating Arsenal 4-1 at the Etihad. With two games remaining, they are one point behind the Gunners. With seven games remaining, it’s difficult to see Pep’s side winning a third consecutive title.

However, in an interview with BT Sport following the game, the Spaniard praised the teams attempting to challenge City’s dominance.

“Why should I give up [winning]?” “We have to do it while we’re here,” he said. “To be honest, we were fortunate as a team, given how Liverpool pushed us after winning 100 points the previous season.” Liverpool pushes us, as does Arsenal this season. I could not have predicted that they would score 50 points in the first leg.

“Once we get there, we always try to win; why should we stop?” It’s not required.”

The city is on the move once more.
So here we are again. Unless there is an uncharacteristic collapse, the title looks set to return to the Etihad for the fifth time in six seasons.

It isn’t over yet, and Arsenal may argue that they are still technically top of the table. Every year, however, City smells blood during the run-in. Those who are waiting for them to drop points are constantly frustrated.

We are well aware of this, having been there too many times before. In reality, Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp have only pushed Pep all the way in the Premier League twice. Those two challenges, however, have left permanent scars.

In a small way that they may not want to admit, it may benefit Reds fans to avoid going through that this season. Allow Arsenal to drive themselves insane while we sit back and plan for next season.

That may sound pessimistic, but the fact remains that Liverpool lacks the resources to compete with City year after year. No one does. That is the entire dreadful truth.

Whatever the case, the Reds should be back with a vengeance next season. Another season of City dominance, and the rest of the country may begin to realize what they truly are. As Arsenal fades, it appears that it will be up to Liverpool to stop them. The mission has been accepted.