Pep Guardiola urges Man City focus ahead of demanding May schedule

Man City trail Arsenal by three points but hold a match in hand as they head to Everton on Monday before taking on Brentford at home the following Saturday, whereas the north London outfit meet Fulham this Saturday and might stretch their advantage to six points prior to Citys next fixture.

City face the FA Cup final on May 16 too, meaning they must tackle six matches across three weeks in May.

"Arsenal are in the Champions League semi-final, so it is what it is," Guardiola remarked to journalists on Friday when questioned on the intense closing fixtures.

"When we won the treble, we had a similar calendar, but I learned a long time ago not to expect anything different.

"We have to adapt and take it game by game."

In a Premier League title battle poised to extend right to the finale, City possess scant leeway for slip-ups.

“In recent weeks, Everton have had very good results and are fighting for a place in Europe," Guardiola commented.

“We can’t have any result but win, win, win."

Guardiola shared upbeat news regarding Rodri and centre-backs Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol, although he cautioned that none of them could be available for the Everton encounter.

"He (Rodri) is getting better. He still didn't train with us, so we will see in the next days," Guardiola explained, noting his "always confident" stance on whether the midfielder might join the away party.

“Ruben is not yet with the team. Him, Josko and Rodri are getting better."