Lijnders urges Man City to pile pressure on Arsenal in title race

LONDON – Manchester City assistant manager Pep Lijnders has urged his side to crank up the pressure on Arsenal as the Premier League leaders show signs of wobbling in the title race.

City head to Tottenham on Sunday sitting just four points behind Arsenal after the Gunners’ unexpected three-match winless run.

Mikel Arteta’s side, who travel to Leeds on Saturday, were beaten by Manchester United last week to compound the frustration of goalless draws against Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.

City’s win over bottom club Wolves last weekend kept them hot on Arsenal’s heels.

“You have to put pressure, you have to go behind them and they have to feel us. Hopefully we can put pressure,” Lijnders told reporters on Friday.

“It’s about us. I’ve been in a few title races. It’s always about winning your next games.”

Lijnders handled City’s media duties on Friday in the absence of boss Pep Guardiola, who missed the press conference for an unspecified personal reason.

Guardiola gave a speech in support of Palestinian children at a charity concert in Barcelona on Thursday and is expected to take training with City on Saturday.

He will return with City in the thick of the title race as they chase the seventh English crown of the Spaniard’s reign — they were dethroned last season by Liverpool.