Pep Guardiola said Manchester City must bounce back against Brentford on Saturday to put pressure on Arsenal in the Premier League title race.
City’s dramatic 3-3 draw with Everton on Monday handed the fate of the title to the Gunners.
Arsenal are five points ahead with three games to play, while City have four games remaining.
Victory for Guardiola’s men at the Etihad against Champions League hopes Brentford could close the gap at the top at least 24 hours before Arsenal visit West Ham.
«Put pressure on Arsenal to win our games,» Guardiola said at his pre-match press conference on Friday. «That’s all we have to do. All we can do.»
City were on course for defeat at Everton until Jeremy Doku’s sensational strike with virtually the last kick of the game rescued a point.
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The Belgian scored twice at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, taking his tally to four goals in his last five games and registering his best goalscoring season in a City shirt with seven.
«I’m so happy,» Guardiola added about Doku’s development. «Not only the goals, the assists, but they also contribute defensively. Jeremy has been great this season.»
A seventh league title in nine seasons may be beyond City’s men, but the club did celebrate a first success in the Women’s Super League in ten years this week.
Andree Jeglertz’s side ended Chelsea’s run of six consecutive league titles.
“Today it is a reality in the football world: the impact of the women’s team on society and the girls, how they like to play football,” Guardiola added.
«I think this is the biggest step that football has made in the last ten years. Before it started, I don’t think you could ever imagine the impact on the girls, the teenagers, who now say: ‘I want to play football.’
«No matter how much sport you do, it’s fantastic. And of course a big compliment (to the City women’s team).»
Guardiola is hopeful Rodri can return from injury against Brentford, while centre-backs Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol are also close to full fitness.
Published on May 8, 2026
