Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has dismissed suggestions he will pressure his squad to capitalize on recent stumbles by league-leading Arsenal, stating his sole focus remains on the upcoming match against Newcastle United.
The shift in the Premier League title race comes after Arsenal, previously five points clear at the top of the table, drew with both Brentford and Wolverhampton Wanderers in their last two league fixtures. These results offer Manchester City an opportunity to close the gap to just two points, with a game in hand, according to reports.
Despite the potential for momentum to swing in City’s favor, Guardiola emphatically denied any internal discussion regarding Arsenal’s dropped points. “I don’t discuss that at all, not for one second,” Guardiola stated, as quoted by BBC. “Only Newcastle, Newcastle, Newcastle.”
Guardiola further emphasized his disinterest in analyzing the league standings at this stage of the season. “I don’t discuss the table, or our position, or anything about that. I don’t care. There are still 12 games,” he said. He indicated he would only address the title race with a more focused perspective when fewer matches remain. “If you ask me about this with two or three games left, I will have an answer. But it’s still 12 games, that’s a long time!”
Arsenal’s recent results included a 1-1 draw against Brentford on September 14th, 2025, and a 2-2 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers on September 21st, 2025. On September 22nd, 2025, Arsenal secured a 1-1 draw against Manchester City, with a late goal from Gabriel Martinelli preventing a defeat. Earlier in the season, on February 2nd, 2025, Arsenal defeated Manchester City 5-1 at the Emirates Stadium, with goals from Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Kai Havertz, and Ethan Nwaneri. Erling Haaland scored the lone goal for City in that match.
The Premier League website confirms Arsenal will face Manchester City again later in the 2025/2026 season.