Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City can view their season as a success regardless of whether they claim the Premier League crown or win Saturday’s FA Cup final against Chelsea at Wembley.
City’s bid to keep pace with Premier League pace-setters Arsenal will pause as they turn their focus to the FA Cup, where they are set for a fourth consecutive final appearance.
Guardiola’s team typically begins each campaign prioritising the Premier League and the Champions League, but they now look at risk of missing out on both major goals.
After being eliminated from the Champions League in the last-16 by Real Madrid in March, City could find themselves five points behind Arsenal if the Gunners beat relegated Burnley at home on Monday.
City can narrow that deficit back to two points by winning their penultimate league match at Bournemouth on Tuesday.
Even then, Arsenal would still have the opportunity to secure their first English title since 2004 by winning at Crystal Palace on May 24.
With the League Cup already secured after overcoming Arsenal, City have a chance to complete a domestic double this weekend.
Despite the pressure of the title situation and the looming cup final, Guardiola insists the overall season should be judged positively, no matter what outcome City experience at Wembley or in the final stretch of the league race.
“It depends on the trophies you lift. Sometimes you lift trophies and the season has been successful,” said Guardiola, who responded with a cautious “we’ll see” when asked whether Rodri would be fit to start in midfield.
“Sometimes, you lift and the truth is the season has been really, really bad.
“I said a few weeks ago this season has been good. Really, really good.”
