Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola jokingly showed his support for West Ham after his side beat Brentford on Saturday evening
Pep Guardiola applauds
Pep Guardiola still has hopes of another Premier League title (Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)
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Pep Guardiola made it clear Manchester City will be backing West Ham against Arsenal on Sunday with an amusing gesture at the conclusion of his press conference. The manager had wrapped up discussing the 3-0 victory over Brentford when he crossed his arms above his head and declared "Come on you Irons!"
City require Arsenal to surrender points in one of their final three matches to stand any chance of pipping them to the Premier League crown, and a West Ham outfit battling the drop appear the most probable of any rivals to do the Blues a favour when they meet the table-toppers on Sunday.
Guardiola had brushed aside questions on Friday about whether he would be supporting West Ham, yet with the Brentford match secured he permitted himself a quip to conclude his 15 minutes with journalists.
City will be getting behind West Ham with slightly greater optimism following a commanding victory over Brentford on Saturday in a challenging fixture.
It required nearly 60 minutes to unlock the deadlock but the Blues ultimately emerged as 3-0 victors to draw within two points of Arsenal while also moving to within one goal of them; should City claim two additional points from the remaining three fixtures, the championship would be determined on goal difference.
Jeremy Doku celebrates after scoring for Manchester City
Jeremy Doku celebrates after scoring for Manchester City(Image: Darren Staples/AFP)
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Nevertheless, it remains in Arsenal's control and Guardiola was pragmatic about the prospects of overtaking a side that has demonstrated for nine months they are amongst the finest in Europe.
He said: "We are fighting with a team quite similar to Liverpool in the past, in the final of the Champions League without losing a game and have been top of the league almost all season.
"It's not in our hands now so it depends on them dropping points but all we can do is Wednesday win again, play the final of the FA Cup and go to Bournemouth - I'd say that is not the best one to go to - and Aston Villa.
"The calendar is demanding but it's simple. It's just two weeks and the season will be over.
Pep Guardiola and Manchester City are still chasing Arsenal in the title race
Pep Guardiola and Manchester City are still chasing Arsenal in the title race(Image: Darren Staples/AFP)
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"I love to be here again. Finish second again minimum so I love it. I didn't enjoy last season and the moment to fight to qualify for the Champions League was difficult but the Carabao Cup is in our pocket, the FA Cup final at Wembley is the most beautiful day of the season and I love it.
"When you arrive and have the feeling that the job can be done, well done.
"When you arrive fighting against Arsenal, with many changes, seeing how they help each other in every training sessions, it is a joy."