“They are starting to…” Pep Guardiola makes bold Arsenal claim which could hand Man City title race advantage

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has cited Arsenal’s UEFA Europa League campaign as the reason why the Gunners could drop points this season.

Arsenal and Manchester City have been dominating the top two spots in the Premier League table this season. The Gunners have emerged as fresh title contenders this term after City and Liverpool’s dominance in the English top tier in recent times.

The north Londoners currently find themselves two points clear at the top of the league table, although they have a game in hand on second-placed City.

Mikel Arteta’s side defeated Leicester 1-0 on Saturday afternoon thanks to a second-half Gabriel Martinelli strike before the Citizens secured a 4-1 victory against Bournemouth later in the day.

However, City boss Guardiola has spoken about the importance of European football in the title race, citing Arsenal’s involvement in the UEFA Europa League as a stumbling block going forward.

The Spaniard told BBC 606: “Many games, still many things are going to happen.

“I know how good they [Arsenal] are, I know we cannot drop points, but now they are starting to play Europa League as well.

“Many things are going to happen. They are going to drop points. We are going to drop points. The team who drop less points will be champions.”

Arsenal face Sporting Lisbon in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday March 9 where they will hope to transfer their domestic form onto the European stage.

Meanwhile, Man City played out a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie against RB Leipzig on Wednesday, setting up a grand stand finale at the Etihad next month.

Arsenal will finally play their game in hand on Wednesday evening, hosting Everton in the Emirates Stadium before taking on Bournemouth in north London on Saturday afternoon.