Pep Guardiola demands Arsenal respect ahead of blockbuster title showdown

Pep Guardiola demands Arsenal respect ahead of blockbuster title showdownManchester City seized the advantage in the Premier League title race with Sunday's 3-0 win of Chelsea at Stamford Bridge but Pep Guardiola has sent a strong warningCommentsSportJohn Cross Chief Football Writer21:15, 12 Apr 2026Updated 21:15, 12 Apr 2026View 2 ImagesPep Guardiola has given his verdict on the title race(Image: Getty Images)Pep Guardiola praised his “mentality” monsters after they closed the gap on Arsenal - and then insisted next Sunday’s title showdown will be a “final.”‌Manchester City blew Chelsea away with a second half demolition to close the gap on Arsenal to just six points with a game in hand.‌Guardiola’s men also face the Gunners at the Etihad next Sunday and he warned Arsenal will be a huge test but is full of confidence.‌Guardiola said: “The second half was extraordinary because we had the mindset. It wasn’t tactics. We know each other for a long time and the players showed a good mentality to win here, which is never easy.“The past was something unique, but we are growing. We have long weeks now we are out of Champions League. We are more fresh, in training, everyone knows exactly what they have to do.READ MORE: Marc Guehi shows true colours with Rayan Cherki gesture after Man City's win at ChelseaREAD MORE: Man City fans mock Arsenal with viral 'bottle' gesture at Chelsea as title race heats upJOIN US ON FACEBOOK! Latest news, analysis and much more on Mirror Football's Facebook page‌“We’ll see what happens next. Arsenal is a final but don’t tell me Brentford the next week will be easy. There are many things that are going to happen. I just said yesterday to the players they must relax.“They have been the best team in this country, in Europe, so far. Beating Arsenal once is so difficult, imagine beating them twice in a few weeks. We have to rest.“I would like to say to my fans - respect Arsenal a lot, they are an extraordinary team. Come to...