Pep Guardiola has warned his Manchester City players that their Premier League title defense will end this Saturday if they fail to beat West Ham.
City currently trail leaders Arsenal by seven points with a game in hand.
Despite a pivotal head-to-head with the Gunners looming on April 19, Guardiola insists there is no longer any margin for error.
“Now there are no second chances,” Guardiola said. “We’re still there, knowing that if we drop points it will be over.”
The trip to the London Stadium comes at a volatile time for City. City must bounce back from a bruising 3-0 first-leg defeat to Real Madrid.
West Ham are fighting for survival in the relegation zone, having lost only once in their last five matches.
Guardiola defended his recent tactical choices after being “massacred” by critics following the loss in Spain.
With only nine games remaining, the Spaniard was blunt about the stakes: “The Premier League is the most difficult title… we are desperate.”
