Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has admitted his side's clash against Crystal Palace could be a defining moment in the Premier League title race. The reigning champions looked set to close the gap to Arsenal after their win against Newcastle with the Gunners drawing with Bournemouth heading into the final moments at the Emirates Stadium.
However, Reiss Nelson scored a dramatic 97th-minute winner to keep Arsenal five points above City with 12 games to play. A number of fixtures on the calendar are already being highlighted as possible moments when the title race could be impacted.
The first one could arrive next weekend with City and Arsenal both in European knockout action against RB Leipzig and Sporting CP, respectively.
READ MORE: Mikel Arteta's huge Arsenal transfer call justified as Jorginho handed new role in title race
Arsenal's defining run of games could arrive in April as they must face Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City, with the latter two fixtures away from home. As for City, Guardiola believes the next few weeks will prove crucial in his side's season across three competitions.
”Before the international break, we have three games in different competitions that will define our season," he admitted. "Crystal Palace, RB Leipzig and Burnley [FA Cup]. They will define what we want to do for the rest of the season.”
With City in action across three different competitions, Guardiola would have likely said the same regardless of what their next league outing was, but the fact it's against Crystal Palace is certainly interesting.
In Amazon Prime's 'All or Nothing' on City, Guardiola admitted he was worried about their impending clash with the Eagles, despite guiding his team to victory in 18 successive league games.
Following a narrow victory over Newcastle, Guardiola invited Carles Planchart (first team analysis) up to the middle of the room and said: "This is the guy who has been with me since my days in the fourth division. I trust him. He told me three days ago 'Wow, Crystal Palace'. I trust him. Crystal Palace will be a real tough game."
Guardiola's concerns were valid as Palace ended City's winning streak with a goalless draw. Of course, Palace are a very different team now from over four years ago under Patrick Vieira, but the Eagles always prove to be a stern test for City, having already gone two goals up at the Etihad Stadium earlier in the season before an Erling Haaland hat-trick and Bernardo Silva secured a comeback victory for City.
READ NEXT:
Arsenal's next five Premier League fixtures compared to title rivals Man City and Man United
Martin Odegaard reacts on Instagram after what he did when Reiss Nelson scored Arsenal's winner
The Arsenal player Reiss Nelson ran to at full time as Emirates hosts greatest ever day
Trossard, Nketiah, Jesus: Arsenal injury news and expected return dates after Bournemouth clash
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium
