Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has described Sunday's home Premier League fixture against league leaders Arsenal as a "final," stating bluntly that a defeat would end his side's chances of winning the title. City currently trail Arsenal by six points, though they hold a game in hand, meaning a victory at the Etihad Stadium (City's home ground in Manchester) would reduce the gap to three points and significantly intensify the pressure on the visitors. Guardiola acknowledged his team must improve on recent inconsistent opening halves but expressed confidence in his squad, noting that City have not lost a league match since mid-January and arrive into the fixture on a strong run of form.