Pep Guardiola issues ‘arrogant’ update on Arsenal and Manchester City’s Premier League title race | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola has offered his thoughts on the day Manchester City further closed the gap to Arsenal at the top of the Premier League.

Saturday’s action created another dramatic swing in the title race, with City taking full advantage of Arsenal dropping points. Guardiola’s side held up their end of the bargain with a controlled and increasingly dominant 3–0 win over Sunderland at the Etihad Stadium, narrowing the gap at the top to just two points.

City’s performance was defined by patience and pressure, initially struggling to break through a deep defensive structure before turning the game emphatically in their favour. Goals from Rúben Dias and Joško Gvardiol inside a first-half spell put Guardiola’s side firmly in control.

The second half then allowed Manchester City to stretch the pitch, hit the post through Jérémy Doku, and finish the job thanks to a superb Rayan Cherki assist for Phil Foden. The win also arrived amid increasing scrutiny over consistency and the tightness of the title race – themes Guardiola has addressed repeatedly across recent press conferences.

Speaking during his post-match press conference after City’s 3-0 victory over Sunderland, Guardiola said, “From my experience – I’m sorry I don’t want to feel arrogant but I have quite experience of winning Premier Leagues and titles – it’s the consistency.

“And consistency comes just from one thing: the way you play. Not from a result one day, or a victory to go two points behind or four points in front, it’s the consistency to be how you perform, how much you grow during the year.

“And today maybe was one of the best performances of the season during 94 minutes.”

The Manchester City boss continued, “I have the feeling – even if today they dropped points – Arsenal are going to drop few, few, few, few points.

“If we want to be there, we have to win games, games, and games. And games come from the way you perform, not just from a lucky day or lucky action.”

Pep Guardiola’s assessment sets the tone for what is likely to be a relentless run-in. His comments echo a wider theme throughout recent weeks that City’s hopes of reclaiming the Premier League title rest not on isolated results, but on a sustained level of performance.

The manager has also spoken recently about the emotional weight of his near-decade in England, his admiration for the growth of players like Foden, and the importance of maintaining high standards regardless of external pressure.

That message appears to be landing, with Saturday’s win arguably one of the most complete 90-plus-minute displays City have produced so far this season. Looking ahead, City’s challenge is straightforward in principle but unforgiving in practice, and the hope of winning almost every game left.

Guardiola’s belief that Arsenal will “drop few, few points” places the responsibility firmly back on his squad to deliver flawless consistency. If they can continue to perform at the level seen against Sunderland, the title race is poised to remain alive deep into the campaign.