- Pep Guardiola says the Premier League title is in Arsenal’s hands
- Micah Richards believes the Man City manager is playing ‘mind games’
- He thinks City can close the gap on the Gunners
Pep Guardiola has played down Manchester City’s chances of winning the Premier League, but Micah Richards thinks the manager has more belief in his team than he is letting on.
The Premier League is nearing its conclusion and Arsenal are still very much in control, sitting top of the table by nine points.
Despite Manchester City’s Carabao Cup triumph, Pep Guardiola says the Premier League is in Arsenal’s hands and he is not wrong in his assessment.
However, with Man City beginning to build some momentum, there seems to be a growing belief that a comeback could be on the cards after the international break.
Micah Richards reacts to Pep Guardiola’s comments
Even though Guardiola is looking to downplay his team’s chances, Micah Richards reckons the boss is more confident in Man City winning the Premier League than he is willing to admit.
In fact, the ex-City defender has even claimed Guardiola is playing ‘mind games’, in order to mess with Arsenal.
"He's playing mind games, he's already planting little seeds!" 👀
— The Rest Is Football (@RestIsFootball) March 23, 2026
Does Man City's Carabao Cup win spice things up for the title race? @UberEats_UK pic.twitter.com/lnfLpcPUCm
“If Man City win their next game and then they were to beat Arsenal, there’s only three points in it,” Richards told The Rest is Football.
“I don’t know if you saw the pictures when he was watching the game, but his celebration, how animated he was on the touchline. He knows what it means.
“He’s playing mind games. So after his interview he said ‘Well you know, I’d rather be in Arsenal’s dressing room, nine points clear’. He’s already plating little seeds.
“And you know, if Man City win their next game and then they beat Arsenal, there’s only three points in it,” he continued.
“Arsenal are still favourites aren’t they, they just need to overcome this hurdle. But you know Man City, if they sniff something, they’re going to be fighting all the way to the end. So it sets up the league really nicely.”
Man City are still at a disadvantage
Guardiola may well be trying to cause disruption for Arsenal, but his point still stands. It is Mikel Arteta’s team who have the advantage and this is not set to end any time soon.
Even if Man City defeat Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium and win their game in hand, the Gunners will still possess a three-point lead.
Therefore, all the Citizens can do is get back to winning ways in the league and continue in this way until the season is over, in hopes that Arsenal drop even more points.
