Pep Guardiola has no doubts Burnley are capable of doing Manchester City a favour and putting a spanner in Arsenal's works this evening. The Gunners will take another major step towards a first Premier League title in 22 years with a win at home against opposition who have already been relegated. Three more points tonight would place City firmly in the last chance saloon at Bournemouth tomorrow evening, knowing that even a draw wouldn't be enough to prolong the race.
Burnley's Resilience Under Pressure
Burnley parted company with manager Scott Parker last month and with caretaker boss Michael Jackson at the helm, few outside of Turf Moor are giving the Championship-bound side much of a prayer. Despite another difficult top flight campaign, the Clarets have picked up some notable points on the road, drawing at Anfield and Stamford Bridge, while they held Aston Villa in their last outing.
'Here in England, teams always do their best,' Guardiola said ahead of this evening's game at Emirates Stadium. 'Leeds United, who are already safe, went to Tottenham Hotspur and played incredibly to earn a draw. Brighton & Hove Albion, meanwhile, were fighting for Europe, but Leeds won yesterday. I have no doubt Burnley will try.'
City's Treble Ambitions
City travel to the south coast buoyed by their FA Cup triumph over Chelsea at Wembley on Saturday. Antoine Semenyo, who joined City from Bournemouth in January for £65 million, struck the game's only goal in the second half. That victory kept City on course for a domestic treble, following their League Cup success against Arsenal in March.
'It's a different competition, but it's always better to travel to Bournemouth with the feeling of winning the FA Cup than the opposite,' Guardiola added. 'They are 16 or 17 games unbeaten – their run is incredible. The only chance we have (to win the league) is to win the game, so we have to break that run; otherwise it will be over. This season again, what they have done with losing three players from the back four who had success last season, and still again they do it.'
Bournemouth's Challenge
Bournemouth, pushing for European qualification, will be well-rested, having last played on May 9 at Fulham. 'They have had 10 days to prepare and are fighting for Champions League places, so they have an argument to be the best version of themselves,' Guardiola said. 'We will be prepared the best way knowing what we have to do. It is not complicated – we have to win and take the hopes to the last game against Aston Villa.'
