Pep Guardiola makes honest Arsenal vs Liverpool admission after controversial end to game
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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola offered a frank assessment of the Premier League title race after Arsenal’s controversial 1-1 draw with Liverpool, using the moment to underline his respect for both rivals while stressing the need for City to remain focused on themselves.
The article explains that the game at the Emirates ended amid heated debate over key refereeing decisions and VAR involvement, with both Arsenal and Liverpool feeling aggrieved by certain calls. In the wider context of a finely poised title race, such flashpoints invited questions about whether Guardiola was paying close attention to potential swings in momentum between his two main competitors.
Guardiola admitted he was aware of the result but revealed he did not actually watch the match live, arguing it would be a “huge mistake” for City to become emotionally attached to every twist involving Arsenal and Liverpool. Instead, he insisted that his players and staff must concentrate on winning their own games and controlling only what they can directly influence.
At the same time, he made an honest admission about the quality and resilience of both Arsenal and Liverpool, recognizing that they are capable of sustaining a title challenge over the entire season. Guardiola acknowledged that dropped points by rivals are only helpful if City maintain their own standards, warning that focusing too much on others can be a distraction.
The piece frames his comments as a blend of respect and realism: Guardiola understands that small margins, controversial calls, and intense head‑to‑head battles will shape the narrative at the top of the table, but he is determined that City’s response will be defined by consistency rather than emotion. Ultimately, his message was clear—regardless of Arsenal’s draw with Liverpool and the surrounding controversy, City’s fate will be decided by their own performances, not by waiting for favors elsewhere.