Manchester City have ramped up the pre-match mind games ahead of their crucial title clash against Arsenal by bringing the Premier League trophy pitchside.
Pep Guardiola's side will try and close the gap on Wednesday night when they face league leaders Arsenal at the Etihad.
With two games in hand over their opponents, you could argue that defending champions City have the upper hand as they sit five points behind the Gunners.
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But they are leaving no stone unturned ahead of kick-off. In fact, those behind the scenes in Manchester have brought out the Premier League trophy – a decision that has got fans talking.
Viaplay journalist Jan Aage Fjørtoft posted footage of the trophy being transferred from the touchline to the centre circle, two hours before kick-off.
He wrote: "For some reason the Premier League trophy is here tonight….it’s not the Final is it. Just doing some filming I have learned."
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As you can imagine, fans on social media had something to say on the matter.
One commented: "Pro playing mind games by putting the Premier League trophy in the away side warm up area," while another said: "Josep inflicting psychological warfare, crying."
A third wrote: "They know our players can’t hack the pressure ffs."
A fourth added: "Oi they’ll be shaking in their boots when they see the trophy. They will face psychological pressure they have never seen in their lives. Another 7-0 should not surprise you."
In another example of pre-match mind games, a 'nervous' Pep Guardiola admitted that his Manchester City side will be scared before tonight's title clash.
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“I manage well but it is a good sign, being a little bit nervous,” he said.
“So the people in society, the teenagers, all of them are psychologists for mental health because they don’t accept that being nervous is part of our lives, being anxious is part of our lives, being scared is part of our lives, and nothing happens.
"We don’t have to be perfect. When we educate our kids, they have to be perfect for Instagram and TikTok and this kind of thing – they have to be a genius.”
Guardiola added: “They have experience, too. Everyone has to find his own meditation to prepare himself for what they need, either with music or whatever they need to prepare for the game.
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"But the team is ready for a big battle – I know how difficult it will be.”
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Topics: Manchester City, Arsenal, Premier League, Pep Guardiola, Mikel Arteta
