“If we drop points, it will be over”: Pep Guardiola sounds the wake-up alarm as Manchester City face West Ham in a decisive clash

Pep Guardiola has issued a fresh warning to his side ahead of the West Ham test. (Image credits – Heute; licence details). 

Pep Guardiola's Manchester City have traumatised Premier League rivals by hunting down league leaders in the final half of the season with unmatched consistency. However, this time the Spaniard has admitted that there are no margins for error in the title race against Arsenal anymore. Ahead of the clash against West Ham United, Guardiola assessed that if his side failed to win the game, their chances in the title race would be practically over.

City also faced a major blow in the Champions League as they crashed to a 3-0 defeat to Real Madrid away from home. They will aim to overturn the deficit in the second leg at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, but Guardiola admitted that they lack the resources to mount that comeback against the Los Blancos. The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss has stressed shifting the focus back to the Premier League, which could also slip away if results do not go their way against the Hammers.

Manchester City trail the Gunners by ten points, but they have two games in hand. If they win these two games, they could close the gap to just four points with Mikel Arteta's men. Guardiola stressed the added pressure of the games in hand ahead of the clash against West Ham on Sunday.

"Tomorrow night we have a game, an important one for the Premier League position. Then we have the second leg. We're used to it, no? For many years we've lived through these kinds of situations. Now it's West Ham, and after that we will have time to think about it. Play the game you have to play and after the game will dictate if you have a chance or not,” said the Man City boss. (sic)

He added, "We don't have many dollars in the bank, but we will see on Tuesday. Now it's West Ham. The Premier League is the most difficult title. We're still there, knowing that if we drop points it will be over.” (sic)

City will face a tough task against Nuno Espírito's relegation-threatened West Ham side, who will give everything to secure some points to survive in the English top flight. This week will be extremely crucial for Pep Guardiola's side, as they face the Hammers', the return leg clash against Real Madrid and the Carabao Cup final against Arsenal.

Pep Guardiola's side find themselves in a vulnerable situation, where they could possibly go trophyless or turn things around remarkably. Due to injuries, departures of players like Kevin De Bruyne, and defensive instability has cost them crucial points and they have looked less dominant this season than they have in the previous years. As a result, Arsenal could practically gain more confidence if City drop points especially after the Gunners' emerged 2-0 victors against Everton to increase the gap to ten points.

"I've always said when we arrive in the last 10 games, every team plays for something -- for relegation, for Europa League, for Conference League, for Champions League, to be champions. It's normal, every game. Now there are no second chances,” said Guardiola when asked about the pressure of facing a team desperate to win. (sic)

He added “It's a pleasure to be here; last season we couldn't live up to that at this stage. It's nice.” (sic)