Before the match against Fulham in round 37 of the Premier League, coach Pep Guardiola assessed that Arsenal was playing at the same peak as Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool when racing for the championship in recent years.

Last season, Arsenal led the Premier League for 93% of the time but faltered towards the end and missed out on the title to Manchester City. This marked the longest time a club led the Premier League table without clinching the title. This season, both teams continue to vie for the championship, with Arsenal currently topping the table with 83 points, one point ahead of Manchester City, albeit having played one more match.

Previously, Manchester City’s main rival was Liverpool. Klopp’s team finished runners-up twice, trailing the champions Manchester City by just one point before clinching the title in 2020.

“Arsenal was on par with Liverpool in those years. Liverpool and Arsenal both showed exceptional quality and were truly remarkable,” Guardiola said in a press conference before the Fulham match.

Guardiola advised Jack Grealish immediately after Man City’s 0-0 draw with Arsenal in round 30 of the Premier League at Etihad Stadium on March 31. 

While Manchester City is aiming for a record-breaking fourth consecutive title, Fulham no longer has any specific targets as they currently sit 13th with 44 points and are assured of avoiding relegation. Earlier this week, social media circulated a video showing Fulham players, including Raul Jimenez, Willian, Rodrigo Muniz, and Andreas Pereira, flying kites on the training ground.

Guardiola hasn’t seen this video but doesn’t believe Fulham players were just relaxing like they’re at the beach over the weekend. “Are you sure Man City will have an easy game?” the Spanish manager said. “Fulham plays in front of their home crowd and will do everything to beat us, just like we will do everything to beat them. In my career, I have never seen a coach or player who doesn’t want to win. Never.”

Manchester City will return to the top of the table if they defeat Fulham in the earliest fixture, while Arsenal dropped points when they visited Manchester United on May 12th. When asked if he would become a special fan of Manchester United this weekend, Guardiola laughed and replied: “I am a fan of Manchester City.”