Bernd Leno lifts lid on texts from title-chasing Arsenal stars ahead of Man City test

Bernd Leno has revealed that he has already received messages from Arsenal players ahead of Fulham’s high-stakes Premier League clash against Manchester City on Sunday. Leno’s former club are relying on Fulham to keep Erling Haaland and the rest of Pep Guardiola’s all-star attack at bay at Craven Cottage.

The Premier League title race has the potential to explode this weekend, with Arsenal travelling to Old Trafford to face Manchester United on Sunday.

M16 isn’t a happy hunting ground for the Gunners, who have won just once and lost 10 of their last 16 league visits.

Mikel Arteta’s side will be feeling the pressure if City defeat Fulham to leapfrog them and move two points clear at the summit.

In that instance, anything less than a win against United would leave City requiring just one win from their final two games to seal a fourth consecutive Premier League title.

But Fulham taking points from the Cityzens would leave a first title since 2004 in Arsenal’s hands ahead of their monumental journey to Old Trafford.

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And Leno has revealed he has received messages of encouragement from his ex-Arsenal teammates ahead of Saturday’s early kick-off, assuring them Fulham will do everything to win for their own sake.

“My focus is on our club and our performance. Of course, if we take some points from City, I think a lot of the Arsenal boys will text me!

“A couple of them have texted me already, and I said, “Look, guys, don’t worry. We will give 100 per cent because we want to finish our last home game in a positive way as well.”

He added: “Most of the games we have had against City are very night. Even last season, when we lost 2-1, it was a very tight game at The Cottage. Hopefully, we can make it as hard as possible for them.

“We need a perfect day, a perfect game. The referee needs a perfect game as well. We want to finish our last home game in a positive way.”

Regardless of City’s result in the capital, Arsenal will have to get the job done and take a rare three points from Old Trafford to enter pole position in the title race.

But Leno will have to be at his best to thwart Guardiola’s free-scoring side and deny them a seventh straight league win.

If Fulham can’t prevent defeat, Arsenal will have to rely on bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur, who host City in north London on Tuesday night.