Pep Guardiola believes Arsenal will “definitely” win their final three matches of the season, keeping the pressure on his Manchester City side.
The Gunners have recovered from their stumbling run of form, which saw them draw three matches in a row before losing heavily to City, to beat Chelsea and Newcastle and keep their slim Premier League title hopes alive.
Treble-chasing City are a point clear of Arsenal but have a game in hand, which comes away to Brighton as their penultimate match of the campaign and could prove to be the game that clinches the title.
Arsenal need Guardiola’s side to drop points in at least two of their final four League games, but the City boss is confident that the Gunners will do their job in matches against Brighton, Nottingham Forest and Wolves.
“I think definitely they are going to win their three games,” Guardiola told reporters.
“I would like them to drop points to be honest but I think they will get nine points.”
City travel to Goodison Park on Sunday to face Everton, who are on a high after producing a stunning display to beat Brighton 5-1 last time out and give themselves a major boost in the relegation battle.
It comes in between City’s two matches against Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals, with the tie level at 1-1 heading into the second leg in Manchester on Wednesday. However Guardiola, who is frustrated that the match is taking place on Sunday, has insisted the full focus from his side will be on Everton and not on their European assignment.
“Since I’ve been here it’s always been so difficult, because of the environment, they’re a front-foot team,” Guardiola said of facing Everton at Goodison Park. “The end of the season is really final so our focus is on this game.
“My thought is just Everton. No more than that. Eleven months working for the Premier League, we don’t have much time to [focus on] Madrid because we play Sunday, thank you so much, but it’s a real, real priority, Goodison Park.
“We play for all competitions. We have to switch. Adapt. Four games left in the Premier League and it’s important to us to be there, to keep what we play for in our hands.”
