A dismissive Pep Guardiola says Arsenal fans should be satisfied that they have already won "the most important title" this season: Champions League qualification.
Arsenal returned to winning ways on Tuesday night with an impressive 3-1 victory against Chelsea, but Manchester City are still in pole position to clinch their fifth title in six years after beating the Gunners at the Etihad last week. Mikel Arteta refused to give up hope of overhauling Guardiola and co after their big win on Tuesday night - even though City have two games in hand on their rivals.
But Guardiola has now sensationally written off Arsenal's chances of ending their 19-year title drought and claimed that fans should be "so happy" that their multi-year exile from the Champions League will end next year.
Speaking ahead of City's match against West Ham on Wednesday night, Guardiola told Sky Sports: "Arsenal have already achieved Champions League qualification after seven years. Maybe the mood there is a bit down.
"[But] after seven years they won the most important title of the season for the club – to qualify next season for the Champions League. Because financially, it is prestigious, new signings. For many reasons it is the most important title, by far, and it is already there.
"They lost the last game [against Man City] and they are sad, but I am pretty sure they have to be so happy because they make an incredible achievement."
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Arsenal last played in the Champions League six years ago and had aims of ending that run after missing out on the top-four in the final weeks of the 2021/22 campaign. However, the consolation prize of European football is unlikely to soften the blow for fans who have seen the Gunners blow a commanding eight-point lead in the title race since the start of April.
Guardiola's comments come just days after Arteta insisted that Arsenal were "not satisfied" with securing Champions League football for next year. The Spaniard said: "We are in the Champions League and everyone is still unsatisfied with the situation. This is what we need to move forward as a club and a team.
"We are Arsenal football club. We have to be here to win every single trophy. The demands have to be there."
After dropping points in four successive games, Arsenal's win over Chelsea was enough to life them back above Manchester City at the summit of the Premier League. However, victory for Guardiola's side against West Ham at the Etihad will put City right back on top.
