Bukayo Saka does not believe Arsenal’s clash against Manchester City is ‘the final’, but says it’s ‘really close’

Arsenal star Bukayo Saka has refused to agree with the sentiment that their upcoming clash against Manchester City is their ‘final’.

The Gunners remain top of the Premier League table with eight games to go, sitting six points clear of City.

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Arsenal will face the reigning champions towards the end of April, a match that could prove pivotal in this season’s title race.

Despite the magnitude of occasion, Saka has called for his side to stay focussed on their games leading up to their trip to the Etihad Stadium.

He told the Arsenal website: “As players, we really want to do this. We know that everything is in our hands and we just have to keep going game by game.

“If we win these last eight games and get some good results, the title can be ours, so we just have to stay focused.

“It’s a long season and we have to be consistent all the way through, so that’s what we’ll try to do.”

Saka added: “I wouldn’t say [the Man City game] is the final, but maybe the semi-final because it’s massive, and so important as both teams are fighting at the top. It’s really close so it’ll be a massive game.”

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Arsenal have been dominant at the top of the table for most of the season thus far.

However, their eight point lead was cut to six on Sunday after they drew 2-2 to Liverpool, despite scoring twice within half an hour.

The upcoming meeting with City will be their third of the season having also faced them in the FA Cup.

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Pep Guardiola’s side won the reverse league fixture 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium in February.

City also have a game in hand against the Gunners heading into the final weeks of the season.

All eyes will be the title chasers on April 26, a match that could potentially go down as a Premier League classic.

But before then, Arsenal travel to West Ham this weekend and host Southampton next Friday.