Pep Guardiola gives instructions to Crystal Palace stars ahead of defining Arsenal clash

Pep Guardiola’s Man City Cruise Past Crystal Palace – Then Spotted Chatting with Eagles Stars Who Still Have to Face Arsenal

Pep Guardiola approached several Crystal Palace players following Manchester City’s comfortable 3-0 win on Wednesday, sparking suggestions that he was urging them to do his side a favour when they take on Arsenal later this season.

Goals from Antoine Semenyo, Omar Marmoush, and Savinho secured a routine victory at the Etihad, moving City to within two points of league leaders Arsenal with just two matches remaining.

The Gunners, chasing their first title since 2004, will face Palace on the final day of the season at Selhurst Park. For City to claim the crown, they may well need Palace to deny Arsenal points.

Guardiola was all smiles at full-time, with Sky Sports pundits joking that he was going around the Palace players offering advice. The Catalan coach was seen chatting with Jefferson Lerma, Maxence Lacroix, and Adam Wharton.

There has been speculation that Palace might rest key players for their remaining league fixtures, though they fielded a strong side against City. Manager Oliver Glasner, whose team has a Europa Conference League final later in May, has hinted at managing player workloads—but insists that won’t decide the title race.

Glasner recently said: “To be honest, if somebody criticises me, it would be nonsense. It’s just the last game but there are 37 games played before. That means if another team on matchday 25 rotated against City or Arsenal, they affected the title race as well.”

City now turn their attention to the FA Cup final this weekend against Chelsea at Wembley. After that, they face Bournemouth before a final-day clash with Aston Villa. They will likely need six points to become champions, though Guardiola insists his side can only apply pressure.

“It depends on them [Arsenal]. If they win two games, nothing to do, nothing to talk,” he said. “All we can be is in there just in case. The last two games are tough. All we can do now is go to sleep as quickly as possible and prepare for the FA Cup.

That is what we have to do. But it’s not just the FA Cup final—it’s Bournemouth three days after. So travel to London, players will be at home with wife and kids—fatigue, fatigue.”

Guardiola has never gone back-to-back seasons without a league title in his managerial career. However, after Liverpool won the league last term, the possibility now exists that the City boss could be denied two years in a row, following six titles in seven seasons.