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Sawt Falasteen - Lijnders urges Man City to pile pressure on Arsenal in title race

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Lijnders urges Man City to pile pressure on Arsenal in title race
Lijnders urges Man City to pile pressure on Arsenal in title race / Photo: Oli SCARFF - AFP

Lijnders urges Man City to pile pressure on Arsenal in title race

SPORTS 30.01.2026

Manchester City assistant manager Pep Lijnders has urged his side to crank up the pressure on Arsenal as the Premier League leaders show signs of wobbling in the title race.

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City head to Tottenham on Sunday sitting just four points behind Arsenal after the Gunners' unexpected three-match winless run.

Mikel Arteta's side, who travel to Leeds on Saturday, were beaten by Manchester United last week to compound the frustration of goalless draws against Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.

City's win over bottom club Wolves last weekend kept them hot on Arsenal's heels.

"You have to put pressure, you have to go behind them and they have to feel us. Hopefully we can put pressure," Lijnders told reporters on Friday.

"It's about us. I've been in a few title races. It's always about winning your next games."

Lijnders handled City's media duties on Friday in the absence of boss Pep Guardiola, who missed the press conference for an unspecified personal reason.

Guardiola gave a speech in support of Palestinian children at a charity concert in Barcelona on Thursday and is expected to take training with City on Saturday.

He will return with City in the thick of the title race as they chase the seventh English crown of the Spaniard's reign -- they were dethroned last season by Liverpool.

Lijnders is in his first season with City but he has experience of title battles after his time as Jurgen Klopp's assistant at Liverpool.

The Dutchman believes the standard in the Premier League is even higher than when Liverpool and City duelled for supremacy.

"The Premier League is insane at the moment, the aggression of all the teams, the quality up front of all the teams," he said.

"With Liverpool we had 97 points and we didn't win it against City. We have to go for the maximum points, we know we can't lose many more games."

Jeremy Doku is likely to be sidelined for about two weeks after the Belgium winger suffered a calf problem in City's Champions League win against Galatasaray on Wednesday.

That 2-0 victory meant City qualified automatically for the last 16.

"A similar injury as the last one. The last time it took 18 days. I presume this one will be a little bit shorter. Jeremy is a very robust player so let's see," Lijnders said.

He also expressed support for Ruben Dias after the City defender's home was burgled this week.

A.AlHaj--SF-PST

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