🗣️ ‘I saw it yesterday…’ Guardiola has given his honest thoughts and his take is being widely shared

The tension was already building long before the whistle blew at the Etihad Stadium, and by the time the final moments of that match arrived, everyone watching could feel it. This was not just another game. This was a title decider in disguise. Two giants of English football, Manchester City and Arsenal, stood face to face with everything on the line. The Premier League title race had reached a point where every pass, every mistake, every decision could shape history.

Arsenal came into the match knowing exactly what was at stake. A win would have pushed them closer to something they have been chasing for years. Even a draw would have been enough to keep them in strong control. But football does not always follow logic or expectation. It is a game of moments, and on that night, the moments belonged to Manchester City.

The final score read 2-1 in favour of City, but that number does not fully explain what happened. It was a battle filled with intensity, pressure, and small details that made a big difference. For Arsenal, it was painful. For City, it was a statement.

And yet, what happened after the final whistle might be even more important than what happened during the match.

As the players walked off the pitch, cameras caught a powerful moment. Declan Rice, one of Arsenal’s leaders and one of the best midfielders in the world right now, turned to his teammates. His face showed disappointment, but also something else — belief. He shouted three simple words: “It’s not done!”

Those three words quickly spread across social media. Fans reacted. Pundits talked. And even the man who had just defeated Arsenal, Pep Guardiola, took notice.

Guardiola’s reaction was immediate and very telling. Instead of dismissing the comment or seeing it as frustration, he embraced it. He understood exactly what it meant. He knew that those three words could keep Arsenal alive in the title race.

When he was asked about it, Guardiola did not hide his admiration. He said he loved it. For him, that moment showed everything about Arsenal’s mentality. It showed why they are still fighting at the top. It showed why they are dangerous.

He spoke about how teams like Arsenal do not reach this stage of the season by accident. He mentioned their consistency in the league, their performances in Europe, and the leadership within the squad under Mikel Arteta. Guardiola made it clear that a team with that kind of mindset cannot be written off, no matter what the table says.

And that is where things become very interesting.

Because on paper, Manchester City now have the advantage. They are just three points behind Arsenal, and they still have a game in hand. That means if they win that extra game, they will go top of the table. That is the reality.

But football is never just about numbers.

Guardiola himself warned against thinking the title race is over. He made it clear that Rice’s words were not empty. They were a warning. Arsenal are still there. They are still fighting. And they still believe.

Inside the Manchester City dressing room, those words would have been heard loud and clear. Guardiola even hinted that his players already understand the challenge ahead. They know Arsenal will not give up. They know every remaining game will feel like a final.

And this is where the psychological battle begins.

Some fans have already started reacting to Guardiola’s comments. On social media, opinions are divided. Some believe he is playing mind games, trying to put pressure back on Arsenal. Others think he is simply being honest, acknowledging a strong opponent.

But whether it is mind games or respect, one thing is certain — Guardiola is not relaxed.

And that tells you everything.

Because if there is one manager who understands title races better than most, it is Pep Guardiola. He has been here many times. He knows how quickly things can change. One slip, one unexpected result, and everything can turn.

That is why Declan Rice’s message matters so much.

Inside the Arsenal camp, that moment could become a turning point. Instead of feeling defeated, the players now have a rallying cry. “It’s not done” is more than just a sentence. It is a belief system. It is a refusal to give up.

And history has shown that title races are often decided by mentality, not just quality.

This idea was supported by another big voice in football, Wayne Rooney. Rooney knows exactly what it takes to win the Premier League. He has done it multiple times with Manchester United. He has been in tight races. He has felt the pressure.

And his opinion might surprise some people.

Even after Manchester City’s big win, Rooney still believes Arsenal are favourites to win the title.

That statement alone shows how unpredictable this race is.

Rooney explained that there are still many twists and turns to come. He talked about how teams often look at their remaining fixtures and assume they will win certain games. But football does not work like that. Matches that seem easy can become very difficult. Unexpected results happen all the time.

He also spoke about composure. According to Rooney, the team that stays calm under pressure will win the title. Not necessarily the team with the best players, but the team with the strongest mentality.

And that brings us back to Declan Rice.

Because in that one moment, after a painful defeat, he showed composure. He showed leadership. He showed belief.

For Arsenal fans, that is something to hold on to.

But the challenge ahead is huge.

Looking at the remaining fixtures, both teams still have difficult games. Every opponent is fighting for something — survival, European qualification, pride. There are no easy matches at this stage of the season.

For Manchester City, the immediate focus is clear. They need to win their game in hand against Burnley. If they do that, they will move to the top of the table. That would shift the pressure back onto Arsenal.

But even that is not guaranteed.

Burnley may not be at the top of the table, but they have their own reasons to fight. Teams in their position often play with nothing to lose, and that can make them dangerous.

For Arsenal, the task is simple but difficult at the same time — win their games and keep believing.

They cannot afford to look at Manchester City. They cannot afford to think about what might happen. They need to focus on themselves.

That is easier said than done.

Because when you are chasing a title, every result matters. Every goal matters. Every moment matters.

Fans will be watching every game. Players will feel the pressure. Managers will be making crucial decisions.

And in the middle of all that chaos, small moments like Declan Rice’s message can become very powerful.

It can inspire a team. It can create unity. It can remind players what they are fighting for.

Guardiola understands that. That is why he respected it.

He knows that Arsenal are not just a team with talent. They are a team with belief. And belief can be very dangerous.

At the same time, Manchester City have their own strengths. They have experience. They have depth. They have players who have been in this situation many times before.

They know how to handle pressure.

But even they are not perfect.

This season has already shown that both teams can drop points. Both teams can struggle. Both teams can make mistakes.

And that is why this title race is so exciting.

No one knows what will happen next.

One week, it looks like Arsenal are in control. The next week, Manchester City are closing the gap. Then something unexpected happens, and everything changes again.

It is a rollercoaster.

And we are now entering the final part of the ride.

Every match from this point will feel like a final. Every goal will feel bigger. Every mistake will feel heavier.

For the players, it is about focus. For the fans, it is about hope. For the managers, it is about decisions.

And for everyone watching, it is about enjoying the drama.

Because this is what football is all about.

Moments like Declan Rice shouting “It’s not done” remind us why we love the game. It is not just about winning or losing. It is about fighting, believing, and never giving up.

As the season moves closer to its end, one thing is clear — this title race is far from finished.

Manchester City have the advantage on paper, but Arsenal have the belief.

Guardiola has the experience, but Arteta has the hunger.

And somewhere between those two forces, the Premier League title will be decided.

Until then, every match matters.

Every word matters.

And sometimes, three simple words can change everything.