Pep Guardiola has emphasised that the Premier League title race is not only between Arsenal and Manchester City, and that two other surprise teams are also in the running.
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On Wednesday night, Guardiola and Mikel Arteta will face off in the league for the first time this season as the two Spaniards continue vying for English football's biggest prize.
A win for the Citizens will see them leapfrog the Gunners into top spot on the log, albeit on goal difference, and while the two sides have been the clubs considered most likely to lift the title at the end of the campaign, the City boss has insisted that Manchester United and Newcastle United cannot be ruled out just yet.
"Yeah, they are there. There are a lot of points to play for," the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss told members of the media when asked if the Red Devils and the Magpies were also in the race for the EPL title, as per Goal.
"We don't know what can happen in the next weeks. I always have the feeling, especially now with European competitions back and FA Cup around the corner, the last eight to 10 games are going to decide the title.
"We have to try to be there in that moment and then have to make the last effort to try to achieve it."
Despite trailing the north Londoners for much of the campaign, Guardiola believes the reigning champions have the destiny of the championship in their own hands.
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"The biggest motivation is that I don't want to drop the Premier League just because we are not who we are. If they beat us because they are better than (us)," he added.
"This is sport. I'll be the first to congratulate them, as I've always done.
"But not because we are not there. You want it? OK, fight. Take it. It's in our hands.
"We’ll defend this title until the last day. This is what I'd like, to fight to the maximum to try to retain the title."
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