Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta believes with his “heart and soul” that Manchester City will stumble in the title race.
The Gunners are currently top of the Premier League and a point clear of City, but crucially Pep Guardiola’s side have a game in hand.
It means that, with four matches to go, the title is in City’s hands and if they win all their remaining games they will be Premier League champions for a fourth time in a row.
Arteta, however, insists Arsenal will fight until the end and he hasn’t given up hope that Guardiola’s side may stumble.
“In my heart and in my soul…this is what I am hoping for, yes,” said Arteta, when asked if City may drop points.
“You know what is going on [with my emotions]. You just want to win and to win you need others to drop points and you are hoping for that to happen.
“And then [after City win] you have to manage your emotion, because it doesn’t matter what happens on that day.
“There are still a lot of games and points to play for. You are going to have to perform, prepare and win the next match in order to maintain that momentum. This is what we are trying to do.”
Arsenal have fought well with City and since the turn of the year they have lost just once in the Premier League.
It has led to the Gunners securing Champions League qualification for the second year running and Arteta believes that should not be forgotten - even if his squad aren’t satisfied by that.
“Celebrating [qualifying for the Champions League]? No,” he said.
“Obviously that is the first thing we wanted to achieve, consistent Champions League football. It is the second year in a row, a consistent challenge for big titles.
“We are doing this. But we know what the aim is and it is right there. Let’s see if we can do it.
“That is a good sign [that no one noticed Arsenal qualified for the Champions League].
“Before you were looking, asking how many points does it need to be? ‘Still seven to go and we have three matches, woah we are in trouble’. Now it is a different story and it’s a great sign.”
