Pep Guardiola admits he fears more final day drama as Man City prepare to host West Ham – with Arsenal breathing down their neck in Premier League title race

Pep Guardiola is predicting a nerve-shredder and fears more final day drama as Manchester City attempt to create history.

Victory over West Ham United will confirm a fourth straight Premier League title but Guardiola is wary of more twists in their battle with Arsenal for this year’s crown.

The Catalan saw City’s season almost capitulate two years ago when Aston Villa were two goals up at the Etihad late on, while his side went behind in a must-win finale at Brighton in 2019.

Guardiola will show his squad a motivational presentation in the build-up and wants another Ilkay Gundogan or Sergio Aguero to emerge to get City over the line.

‘Everyone would love to be in our position but it won’t be easy,’ Guardiola said. ‘I have the feeling it will be an Aston Villa game. We would love to be 3-0 up but it isn’t going to happen.

Pep Guardiola admits he’s fearing final day drama ahead of Man City’s clash with West Ham

The Cityzens need to beat the Hammers in order to clinch their fourth consecutive league title

‘What happened against Aston Villa and QPR with the Aguero moment and the [Edin] Dzeko moment, I’m ready for a tough, tough game.

‘I want to put in the minds of the players. Look at Tottenham, how they fought for every ball, it was incredible aggression and commitment. It’s going to happen the same. Ourselves and our people have to be ready to support from the first minute and be with us.’

Guardiola added: ‘What I’m going to show the players, they will feel it. I’m going to show them how good they are and what they have to do. As simple as that.’

Arsenal host Everton and Guardiola has been telling his players for months not to expect any favours from Mikel Arteta’s side. 

City’s manager was left surprised by Liverpool’s drop in form and has praised his players’ steely focus in the final weeks of the campaign, winning their last eight matches.

Guardiola recalled Sergio Aguero’s late winner against QPR in 2012 that won them the title 

‘I saw perfectly the reaction in the locker room at Spurs,’ he said. ‘They were relieved, wow, but they were not extra celebrations or something like that. They were happy but incredibly calm, nothing more special than another game in the Premier League.

‘They knew it gave us a chance for the final day of the season. But if you think Everton will do something, forget about it. Arsenal gave us [one] chance and now it is our point. It’s no more complicated than that.

‘Even if we don’t win it, it has been so fine. Still we are here together and nothing is going to change whether we win four in a row or Arsenal win the Premier League. We know how good we have been.’