Jamie Carragher believes Pep Guardiola's desire to win a treble could impact Manchester City's Premier League title battle with Arsenal. Following City's dominant win over Southampton, the Gunners were only able to secure a point away at Anfield against Liverpool, meaning the gap between the two title rivals now stands at six points.
Despite still having a healthy lead, many believe the title is now in City's hands, with the reigning champions having a game in hand, that will soon become two, and because Arsenal still have to visit the Etihad Stadium. That fixture takes place on Wednesday, April 26, and although that date is just over two weeks away, City play four times in three different competitions before then.
Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta must only prepare his players for two Premier League games against West Ham and Southampton. For Guardiola the immediate focus is on their Champions League quarter-final first leg at home against Bayern Munich which takes place this evening (Tuesday).
READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp issues three-word reply when asked if he wants Arsenal to win Premier League title
An FA Cup semi-final against Sheffield United is also on the horizon for City and while Guardiola has a large squad at his disposal, eight games in April will still take its toll. Jamie Carragher expects Guardiola to realise that, which will likely mean tinkering with his favoured first XI which could have an affect on a number of league fixtures.
"We keep talking about the title; City can do the treble," Carragher said during Sky Sports' Super Sunday coverage. "There’s a great chance they’ll win the FA Cup final, and they’re favourites for the Champions League.
"I think on the run-in, if they keep going, there will be one or two games that Pep Guardiola has got to think about winning the treble, and he’ll have to take a chance in a couple of league games with the team he picks.
"It might not be his best team, but he has to think he has to go with it because he’s got a game midweek, and the bigger picture is always more important than just a one-off league game."
Carragher's punditry partner Gary Neville has also delivered his fresh verdict after Liverpool's draw against Arsenal. The Manchester United legend has continued to stick with his prediction that City will win the league and that belief remained when he spoke to his Sky Sports podcast.
"This game [Arsenal's 2-2 draw at Liverpool] was absolutely wonderful and we’ve got six more weeks left of this [title race]," he said. "I have thought all the way through that Man City would just edge it.
"I haven’t changed my opinion after today or even altered it slightly because I still think there will be points dropped from each side, but I think Arsenal will drop more points.
"They go to Man City, Newcastle, West Ham, they’re all difficult games. City have got some difficult ones too and there will be a lot more moments where Arsenal feel like the whole world is watching them.
"The whole football world was watching them today and they weren’t disappointed. They made a few mistakes but all in all Arsenal fans should be pretty happy and proud with that. This is not a time to lose doubt, you can lose or draw here in any season. This is a terror of a game to have in a title run-in."
READ NEXT:
William Saliba, Eddie Nketiah: Arsenal injury news and return dates following Liverpool draw
Gary Neville delivers fresh Man City Premier League title prediction after Liverpool vs Arsenal
Who is Manchester City's game in-hand against after Arsenal Premier League title race turn
Man City star Joao Cancelo fires message to Gabriel Jesus after Arsenal suffer title race blow
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, views and rumours from the Emirates Stadium
