Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola expects Crystal Palace to be ‘professional’ against Arsenal

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola expects Crystal Palace to be ‘professional’ in their team selection against Arsenal on the final day of the Premier League season, when the destination of the title may be decided.

That May 24 match at Selhurst Park comes three days before Palace play Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League final, leaving open the possibility that Palace manager Oliver Glasner could rest key players ahead of one of the biggest games in his club’s 121-year history.

Second-placed City are five points behind Arsenal in the Premier League with a game in hand – coincidentally against Palace on Wednesday.

To win the title, City will likely need Arsenal to drop points against Palace as the leaders are heavy favorites to win the other remaining match – at home to already relegated Burnley on Monday.

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When Guardiola was asked on Tuesday whether he was worried about Palace playing a weakened team, he said: «They are so professional, the teams. Crystal Palace will play top notch against us. We saw Leeds against Spurs yesterday, even out of the relegation battle and back in the Premier League (staying), how they compete.»

«We’ve played here in the past against Aston Villa, or against West Ham. They had nothing to play and we saw how difficult it was. So I’m pretty sure Palace will give their best,» he added.

West Ham’s controversial loss to Arsenal on Sunday ensured Palace were not relegated.

Glasner said after beating Shakhtar Donetsk to reach the Conference League final last week that it would be «nonsense» for people to criticize him for fielding a weakened line-up against Arsenal.

“I’m not responsible for Arsenal, I’m not responsible for Manchester City, I’m responsible for Crystal Palace,” he said, “and I get paid for doing the best things for Crystal Palace and not for City and not for Arsenal.”

«Again, I don’t know yet what we are doing. Maybe we will play with the same line-up as against Vallecano… maybe it will feel like the league title will be decided on the last day. But in the end it is the result of 38 matchdays and everyone gets what he or she deserves,» he added.

Published on May 12, 2026