Manchester City “confident” of holding Arsenal in the Premier League title race endorses the midfielder

ballervisions 2026年1月17日

Tijjani Reijnders has issued a bold message about Arsenal’s Premier League title race ahead of this weekend’s clash with Manchester United.

City currently sit six points behind the league leaders and arrive at Old Trafford on the back of three consecutive Premier League games against Sunderland, Chelsea, and Brighton & Hove Albion.

While those results dampened the momentum somewhat, there’s still a sense that the performance was stronger than the points returns suggest, and that consistency could quickly turn the race back in their favor.

In recent weeks Pep Guardiola has turned his team around a lot, controlling fitness levels and form during tight, defensive matches. There is also a widespread belief within the club that City are still building towards their best football, and with key fixtures looming, the coming weeks look crucial.

Speaking as part of a new and exclusive interview with The Times’ Paul Hirst, Tijjani Reijnders admitted that he and his teammates are “hopeful” of keeping Arsenal in the Premier League title race this season.

First, admitting a new perspective on his position in the Manchester City team since joining AC Milan last summer, Reijnders said, “If you look at our team and how many games we play, it’s almost impossible to play every game.

“That’s something that changed for me, because to be honest I’ve been injured a bit in the last three or four seasons, where I’ve played every game.”

And looking at the ongoing title race in the English top-flight, the Netherlands international insisted, “We have to keep Arsenal under pressure, so it’s very important for us to win this game and get back on track.

“We are very confident [of catching Arsenal]with confidence. We all feel like we’re really growing this season and that’s a good sign. I think we feel that we haven’t reached our ceiling yet.”

Manchester City will travel to Old Trafford this weekend, and will face a potentially resurgent Manchester United team who are now working under the leadership of head coach Michael Carrick.

Comparing Manchester and Milan, Tijjani Reijnders said, “Everything about the Milan derby was intense. I remember my wife saying one year, ‘Can we go out for dinner on Thursday?’ I said, ‘Are you crazy?! Saturday is the derby! We can’t go out to dinner.’ Everything about the build, the experience, is great. “

As for whether he will win and eat before the Manchester derby, Reijnders insisted, “No, I will hold back. United will get new energy.” [from the change in management]. They have a lot of changes and their players will want to prove something to their fans so we have to be ready and we will not underestimate them.”

Tijjani Reijnders’ comments underline the mentality Manchester City are trying to hold on to as the title race enters its final stages, and despite the drop in points in recent weeks, the internal belief seems strong that Arsenal’s lead can be clawed back with continued pressure.

The derby at Old Trafford now takes on even more importance, not just for local pride but as a potential catalyst for Manchester City’s title push. A win would close the gap psychologically, if not in the table, and could provide the boost Pep Guardiola’s side have been looking for.

With a tough schedule ahead and Arsenal showing few signs of slowing down, Manchester City’s margin for error is shrinking. However, as Reijnders suggests, there is a growing feeling that this group has another level to reach.