Pep Guardiola has questioned the narrative that the Premier League title race is now just between Manchester City and Arsenal, pointing to the constantly shifting predictions while his team prepares to face unbeaten-at-home Sunderland.
by Nij Martin
The Premier League title race has become a favorite topic for pundits and fans alike, but Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola isn’t buying into the simplified narratives. When asked whether the championship chase has become a two-horse race between his side and league leaders Arsenal, the Catalan coach responded with characteristic skepticism: “Are you sure?”
Guardiola’s reaction came after Arsenal extended their lead at the top to five points with an emphatic 4-1 victory over Aston Villa on Tuesday. The result pushed Villa six points off the pace, leading many to write off their title chances and focus solely on the battle between City and the Gunners. Yet Guardiola remains unconvinced by such definitive conclusions.
“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,” the City boss remarked, highlighting the fickle nature of football punditry and the dangers of premature predictions. His comments serve as a reminder that with half a season still to play, the narrative can shift dramatically with just a few results.
The numbers certainly paint an interesting picture. Arsenal sit comfortably at the summit with a five-point cushion, while defending champions Liverpool languish in fourth place, a daunting 13 points behind Mikel Arteta’s men. For Liverpool, the task of retaining their crown appears increasingly insurmountable, though stranger things have happened in Premier League history.
Manchester City, however, have rediscovered their devastating form after what Guardiola described as a “forgettable and trophyless 2025.” The Citizens have reeled off eight consecutive victories across all competitions, demonstrating the resilience and quality that has made them the dominant force in English football over recent years. With a game in hand, City could reduce the gap to just two points, making the race far tighter than it currently appears.
Yet Guardiola’s immediate concern isn’t Arsenal or the title race speculation—it’s Sunderland. The Black Cats host City on Thursday night at the Stadium of Light, where Regis le Bris’ newly-promoted side remain unbeaten this season. Sitting seventh at the halfway point of the campaign, Sunderland have already claimed impressive scalps, with both Arsenal and Aston Villa failing to win on Wearside.
“That means they are so tough,” Guardiola acknowledged, recalling the intimidating atmosphere from his first visit to the stadium. “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.”
Meanwhile, the opening of the January transfer window on Thursday adds another layer of intrigue to City’s campaign. Reports suggest the club is close to securing Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo for £65 million, while young talent Oscar Bobb may head to Borussia Dortmund on loan. Guardiola, ever cautious about transfer speculation, remained tight-lipped when questioned about potential moves.
“The transfer window is completely closed right now,” he stated diplomatically, deflecting questions about both incoming and outgoing players until deals are finalized.
As the second half of the season approaches, Guardiola’s refusal to accept simplistic narratives about the title race reflects both tactical wisdom and psychological warfare. By keeping expectations measured and focus sharp, he’s ensuring his players don’t get caught up in external noise. Whether it’s a two-horse, three-horse, or even wider race remains to be seen—but one thing is certain: Guardiola won’t be making predictions anytime soon.