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For a change, the Premier League title race is not under Pep Guardiola’s control going into the final day of the season.

Manchester City kept up the pressure on Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal with a commanding 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Guardiola’s team are chasing league leaders Arsenal, who sit just two points ahead with two matches remaining in the Premier League campaign.

Supporters observed the Spanish manager in animated conversation with several Crystal Palace players after the full-time whistle — reminiscent of his lively “Come on you Irons” moment last weekend — leaving many wondering what exactly he was saying.

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Only a fortnight ago, the Premier League title seemed destined to be decided by goal difference and goals scored. However, a slip-up by City at Hill Dickinson Stadium altered the course of the season.

Manchester City must now depend on Arsenal dropping points if they are to retain their Premier League crown. Arteta’s side, on the other hand, can clinch the title themselves by winning their remaining two fixtures.

Crystal Palace will take on current league leaders Arsenal at Selhurst Park in Matchweek 38 — a fixture where Arsenal could lift their first Premier League trophy in 22 years.

Before that, Mikel Arteta’s men are scheduled to face already-relegated Burnley, who have conceded more goals than any other team in the Premier League this season, with a total of 73.

While a surprising Burnley upset cannot be entirely dismissed in Premier League football, Guardiola might believe that a London derby presents the perfect opportunity for an Arsenal stumble.

Currently, Guardiola’s side edge Arsenal on goal difference by a single goal. Even if that margin vanishes, Manchester City would still be crowned champions due to their superior number of goals scored.

Given their shared history at Manchester City, Guardiola arguably understands Arteta’s tactics better than most. His record of four points from a possible six against Arsenal this season highlights that familiarity.

It’s possible that Guardiola was briefly hinting at certain weaknesses in Arteta’s system ahead of the final matchday, or perhaps he was simply offering the Crystal Palace players some perspective on how City managed such a dominant performance, helping them prepare for their next fixture.

Most likely, given the short and friendly nature of the chat, Guardiola was reminding the Palace players that they have the chance to make their mark on Premier League history.

Although Palace have struggled domestically following last season’s FA Cup triumph — replaced this year by success in the Conference League — being the side that impacts the title race is always memorable.

Pep Guardiola, ranked No. 5 in FourFourTwo’s list of the greatest football managers ever, might still need to convince Oliver Glasner, who suggested after the defeat that he could rest players to manage workloads before their Conference League final, which takes place after the Premier League season concludes. Still, Guardiola can at least claim he made the effort.

Manchester City will next return to Premier League action away at Bournemouth on Tuesday, following their FA Cup semi-final clash against Chelsea this weekend — a chance to avenge last season’s FA Cup final loss to Crystal Palace.