Pep Guardiola warned his Manchester City players against believing that their title-winning experience will be enough for them to pip Arsenal to the Premier League crown.
City moved back to within two points of the Gunners with victory against Bournemouth on Saturday as they chase what would be a fifth title in seven seasons under Guardiola.
The Gunners have not been champions since 2003/04 when Arsene Wenger led the club through an unbeaten league season.
Nevertheless, City’s manager pointed out that history shows how past titles alone cannot be a guarantee of success when things go down to the wire.
“I would like to say yes (our experience will be an advantage) but I don’t know,” said Guardiola.
In the Champions League final years ago, Milan v Liverpool (in 2005) when Liverpool made a good comeback.
The 2005 final in Istanbul between Liverpool and AC Milan produced one of the greatest Champions League comebacks of all time, with Rafael Benitez’s Reds storming back from three down at half-time to win on penalties and stun the Serie A giants.
At the time Liverpool had not tasted European success for 21 years, almost the same length of time that Arsenal have been starved of the Premier League title.
“After Nottingham we were sad because of how good we played,” said Guardiola.
“I know how good is Arsenal so far, how good is United, Newcastle is still there.
“Then after Newcastle it’s Crystal Palace and the Champions League.
