Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is confident the home fans will be up for tonight’s clash with Arsenal.
City go into the game against the Premier League leaders five points behind, though with two games in hand.
“I’m pretty sure, the rumours (I heard) a lot of people will come and support us,” said Guardiola.
“I don’t have doubts about that.
“The Premier League is the Premier League. After many months, to play at home against the team who have been the best in the league (is exciting).
“We can forget we are five points behind – that is the reality.
“People say ‘no two games left in hand’ we have to win.
“I would prefer we played these two games and have six points, because we have to win them, and nobody knows what is going to happen.
“The reality is we are five points behind Arsenal, so the best team so far for the numbers and many things for this part of the season.
“The fantastic football they were playing it was there.
“It is important still we are there. Always months ago I said, ‘hopefully we’ll have the chance’. ‘
“When Arsenal come to our home, still we are there. That is the reality and in the end we could do it.
“Now we have to do another. After Arsenal we still have seven more games to play which is a lot.
“It’s not 50 or 20 games but seven games, it is still a lot, with of course our Champions League involvement, but that is the position.
“Like in December or November I couldn’t expect (this). Fortunately, we are here.”