Guardiola plays down two-horse Premier League title race
The Manchester City boss is expecting more than just his side and Arsenal to compete for the crown
Pep Guardiola has played down suggestions that this season’s Premier League title race is narrowing to a straight battle between Manchester City and Arsenal, insisting the picture can change quickly as the campaign develops.
Arsenal moved five points clear at the top on Tuesday night with an emphatic 4-1 win over Aston Villa, a result that left Unai Emery’s side six points off the pace in third place.
City have the opportunity to reduce the gap again when they face Sunderland on Thursday night, but Guardiola was reluctant to frame the situation as a two-team contest.
Asked whether the title would be decided between City and Arsenal, he questioned the shifting narrative around the race. “Are you sure?” he said. “A few weeks it was just Arsenal, two days ago it was three teams in the title race. And now it is just one. We will see.”
Liverpool currently sit fourth and face a difficult task in defending their title, trailing Arsenal by 13 points, while City come into Thursday’s game on the back of an eight-match winning run in all competitions to close out a challenging, trophyless 2025.
Their trip to the Stadium of Light, however, presents a stern test against a Sunderland side unbeaten at home this season.
Regis Le Bris’ newly promoted team sit seventh at the halfway stage and have already taken points off several leading sides. Guardiola pointed to the difficulty of the fixture, recalling previous visits and the atmosphere on Wearside.
“That means they are so tough,” he said. “I remember in my first season when I went there the crowd was unbelievable. They have beaten Newcastle. Arsenal and Aston Villa could not win there. It will be really difficult but at the same time we are ready.”
Attention has also turned to the January transfer window, which opens on Thursday, with City expected to be active.
Reports claim that they are close to agreeing a £65m deal with Bournemouth for forward Antoine Semenyo, but Guardiola was careful when asked about potential signings. “I have to be careful what I say,” he said. “That is why I said yesterday before and the day of the game, the transfer window is completely closed right now.”
There has also been speculation around a possible loan move for Oscar Bobb to Borussia Dortmund, though Guardiola played down any certainty over departures.
“When it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen,” he said. “I don’t know any news about anything right now. You can ask Oscar, not to me.”