Guardiola Issues Rallying Cry to Fans as Man City Host Arsenal in ‘Final’

Football - FA Cup - Semi Final - Manchester City v Sheffield United - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - April 22, 2023 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola acknowledges fans after the match. (Reuters)
Football - FA Cup - Semi Final - Manchester City v Sheffield United - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - April 22, 2023 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola acknowledges fans after the match. (Reuters)
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Guardiola Issues Rallying Cry to Fans as Man City Host Arsenal in ‘Final’

Football - FA Cup - Semi Final - Manchester City v Sheffield United - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - April 22, 2023 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola acknowledges fans after the match. (Reuters)
Football - FA Cup - Semi Final - Manchester City v Sheffield United - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - April 22, 2023 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola acknowledges fans after the match. (Reuters)

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has urged fans to turn up the volume in their top-of-the-table clash with Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday as his side look to take control of the Premier League title race.

Arsenal have lost significant ground in recent weeks, with three successive draws leaving them five points clear of City but having played two games more.

"Wednesday is a final against a team that has been the best team in England so far and is five points ahead of us," Guardiola told reporters.

"I know even though they have drawn the last three games, the way they play in big, big parts of the game, it is difficult to stop ... It's a massive, important game for us. We know winning will give us a step to putting it completely in our hands.

"The Premier League is 11 months working, working, working. And we want to take this opportunity. We cannot do it alone. Hopefully all the Etihad will be full three hours before the game."

Guardiola has previously criticized the club's supporters for failing to get behind the team. After a 4-2 comeback victory over Tottenham Hotspur in January, Guardiola said fans had been "silent for 45 minutes".



Dutch Delight but Coach, Captain Feel Win over Finland Could Have Been Better

Coach of team Finland Jacob Friis (R) and coach of team Netherlands Ronald Koeman (L) during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier soccer match between Finland and Netherlands, in Helsinki, Finland, 07 June 2025.  EPA/KIMMO BRANDT
Coach of team Finland Jacob Friis (R) and coach of team Netherlands Ronald Koeman (L) during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier soccer match between Finland and Netherlands, in Helsinki, Finland, 07 June 2025. EPA/KIMMO BRANDT
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Dutch Delight but Coach, Captain Feel Win over Finland Could Have Been Better

Coach of team Finland Jacob Friis (R) and coach of team Netherlands Ronald Koeman (L) during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier soccer match between Finland and Netherlands, in Helsinki, Finland, 07 June 2025.  EPA/KIMMO BRANDT
Coach of team Finland Jacob Friis (R) and coach of team Netherlands Ronald Koeman (L) during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier soccer match between Finland and Netherlands, in Helsinki, Finland, 07 June 2025. EPA/KIMMO BRANDT

There was Dutch delight as the Netherlands made an efficient start to their World Cup qualifying campaign on Saturday by winning away in Finland.

Both coach Ronald Koeman and captain Virgil van Dijk expressed satisfaction with the 2-0 win in Helsinki at the start of their Group G campaign, but felt the victory could have been more decisive, Reuters reported.

"I thought we started very well, quickly scored the opening goal," said Koeman of Memphis Depay's sixth minute effort.

"That is what you always want, especially in these types of matches against a team that plays with a lot of people behind the ball. We did that well.

"After about 30 or 35 minutes, I thought we were already a bit sloppy in possession. I also thought we no longer had real pressure on us.

"We did not create many chances and that continued in the second half," added Koeman. "That may be logical, but you want to get even more out of a match like this. The result is fine, but I hope we play a better second half against Malta on Tuesday."

The Dutch take on Malta at home in Groningen.

Koeman had said last week that he felt his side were obliged to win the group given the quality of opposition. They also have Lithuania and Poland in their group. The team topping the standings qualify for next year's World Cup in North America while the runner-up goes into a playoff phase.

"We've fallen a goal behind in many matches so it's great that we have now kept a clean sheet and took the three points," said Van Dijk.

"The first hurdle is always difficult. Under these circumstances, almost two weeks after the end of the season, it is important that we have taken the three points," he added.