Manchester City are once again standing in familiar territory, chasing a Premier League title that many people outside the club believe is slowly slipping away from them. But inside the Etihad dressing room, the feeling is very different. There is no panic, no fear, and no sense of surrender. Instead, there is confidence, belief, and a quiet determination that Arsenal’s lead at the top of the table is far from safe. One Manchester City star has now put those feelings into words, sending a clear message to the rest of the league that the champions are not done yet.
Tijjani Reijnders, who has quickly become one of the most talked-about figures in Manchester City’s squad this season, has openly stated that the club is confident of catching Arsenal in the Premier League title race. With City currently sitting six points behind the Gunners and seventeen matches still left to play, the Dutch midfielder believes the story of this season is nowhere near finished. For him and his teammates, the gap is not a wall. It is simply a challenge waiting to be overcome.
This confidence did not come out of nowhere. Manchester City are on a long unbeaten run across all competitions, stretching to thirteen matches. That run includes tough games, tricky away trips, and moments where City had to dig deep to avoid defeat. Yet despite this impressive sequence, they have somehow lost ground in the league race. Draws have replaced wins at crucial moments, and Arsenal have managed to stay just ahead, even when they have not been at their best.
Speaking ahead of the highly charged Manchester derby, Reijnders opened up about life at Manchester City and the reality of playing for a club packed with world-class talent. He admitted that one of the biggest changes he has experienced is the sheer level of competition for places. At City, no one is guaranteed a starting spot. No matter how good you are, rotation is part of the culture. It is not a punishment. It is a necessity.
He explained that with the number of games City play every season, it is almost impossible for any player to feature in every match. Between the Premier League, Champions League, domestic cups, and international duties, the physical and mental demands are extreme. Reijnders revealed that earlier in his career, he was used to playing every game without question. For several seasons, he barely missed a minute. Coming to City changed that reality completely.
This admission offers a rare insight into Guardiola’s squad management. Manchester City are built to compete on multiple fronts, and that means every player must accept rotation. Guardiola does not pick teams based on reputation or past achievements. He picks based on form, fitness, and tactical needs. For some players, especially those new to the club, this can be difficult to adjust to. But for Reijnders, it is now something he understands and respects.
When the conversation turned to the title race, his confidence became even clearer. He made it obvious that Arsenal are very much in City’s thoughts, not as an untouchable force, but as a target. According to Reijnders, the most important thing for City right now is to keep the pressure on. That pressure starts with winning games, especially big ones like the Manchester derby. He believes that momentum can change very quickly in the Premier League, and once a team finds its rhythm, everything else can fall into place.
For Manchester City, the Premier League title is not just another trophy. It is the trophy. After missing out last season, the hunger inside the squad has grown stronger. Players who are used to lifting silverware felt the pain of falling short, and that pain has turned into motivation. Reijnders made it clear that winning trophies is the reason players join Manchester City. It is why they train so hard, why they accept rotation, and why they push themselves beyond their limits.
He spoke about how eager the squad is to reclaim the league crown, stressing that confidence comes from experience. City have been here before. They know what it takes to hunt down a rival, to close gaps, and to handle pressure when every match feels like a final. For Reijnders, being six points behind with seventeen games left is not a crisis. It is an opportunity.
This belief is shared by Pep Guardiola, even if he expresses it in a different way. Earlier in the season, Guardiola sent a clear warning to Arsenal, reminding them that the title race is never decided early. In November, when Arsenal were enjoying their position at the top, Guardiola calmly pointed out that City still had to host them at the Etihad. That one statement carried a lot of weight. History shows that the Etihad has often been the place where title races are shaped, broken, or decided.
Guardiola acknowledged the progress Arsenal have made under their manager, praising their rebuilding process and consistency over recent seasons. But he also reminded everyone that football seasons are long, unpredictable, and unforgiving. Being top in November means nothing if you cannot handle the pressure in April and May. According to Guardiola, all City can do is win their games and stay close, waiting for the moment when the balance shifts.
At the time, some Arsenal fans dismissed his words as mind games. Others saw them as a quiet threat. Guardiola has built a reputation for speaking softly while letting his team deliver the real message on the pitch. When City start winning relentlessly, doubt creeps into their rivals’ minds. That doubt can be as powerful as any goal or assist.
Looking at recent form, both teams have shown small signs of vulnerability. Arsenal have won three and drawn two of their last five league matches. They have not been perfect, but they have done enough to stay ahead. Manchester City, on the other hand, have drawn three and won two of their last five. Those dropped points are the reason the gap still exists. City have not fully punished Arsenal’s slip-ups, and that is something Guardiola and his players know must change.
This is where Reijnders’ confidence becomes important. Inside the dressing room, there is a belief that performances are improving, even if results have not always reflected that. City feel they are close to hitting top gear. When they do, they expect to go on the kind of run that has defined their dominance in recent seasons. Winning five, six, or seven games in a row can completely transform the table.
The Manchester derby now takes on even greater importance. Matches against Manchester United are never just about points. They are about pride, momentum, and sending a message. A strong performance and a victory would not only boost City’s confidence but also remind Arsenal that the champions are still breathing down their necks.
Reijnders understands the psychological side of the title race very well. He knows that pressure is not just about points. It is about expectations, noise, and mental strength. Arsenal are now the team everyone is chasing, and with that comes a different kind of stress. Every draw feels like a failure. Every narrow win is questioned. City, meanwhile, are hunting, and that role often suits them perfectly.
For Arsenal, memories of past seasons may still linger. They have been in strong positions before, only to see City surge past them late in the campaign. Those experiences can stay in the back of players’ minds, especially when City start closing the gap. One bad result can lead to nervous performances, and nervous performances can lead to dropped points.
Manchester City have built a culture that thrives in these moments. They are used to playing with pressure. They are used to being expected to win every week. Guardiola has drilled into his squad the importance of focus, calmness, and patience. Reijnders’ comments reflect that mindset. There is no desperation in his words. Only belief.
The fact that City are unbeaten in thirteen matches across all competitions also feeds into this confidence. Even when they are not at their best, they are finding ways to avoid defeat. That resilience is crucial in a title race. Turning potential losses into draws can keep a season alive until form improves.
Critics will argue that City have missed their chance, that Arsenal look stronger and more mature this season. But City players are not listening to that noise. They trust their process, their manager, and their experience. They know that the Premier League often rewards consistency over brilliance, and they believe they can be the most consistent team between now and the final day.
For Reijnders personally, this season represents a chance to stamp his authority in one of the toughest leagues in the world. Speaking with such confidence shows that he has embraced the club’s mentality. He is not thinking like a newcomer. He is thinking like a champion. His words were not careless or arrogant. They were measured, calm, and rooted in belief.
As the season moves into its decisive phase, every game will matter more than the last. Arsenal know they cannot afford many mistakes. Manchester City know they must turn draws into wins. The gap may be six points now, but football has a way of changing quickly. Injuries, suspensions, and fixture congestion can all play a role.
What is clear is that Manchester City have not given up, and they have no intention of doing so. Reijnders’ message is simple but powerful. The race is still on. The pressure is building. And the champions believe that, sooner rather than later, Arsenal will start to feel the heat.
In the end, the Premier League title is not won by confidence alone. It is won by performances, results, and nerve. But confidence is often the first step. And right now, inside the Manchester City camp, confidence is not in short suppy at all.
