The Catalan technician, however, stressed that “ the real season starts now”, after several international breaks, and all attention is now focused on the quest for precious points.
Arsenal in the lead: can Manchester City catch up with the Gunners?
Currently second in the standings, City are four points behind leader Arsenal after eleven days. This gap is not insurmountable at the moment, but the Gunners have only conceded one defeat this season. They also have the best defense in the league, having only been breached five times.
City have found form, winning their last four matches in all competitions – including a 3-0 victory over reigning champions Liverpool just before the November break – and their star striker, Erling Haaland, is in fine form.
Title race: Guardiola issues warning
Guardiola concedes, however, that Arsenal are making the task of their pursuers more difficult. Ahead of Saturday’s perilous trip to Newcastle for his City side, he said: “The truth is that a team as strong as Arsenal, I have the feeling they will not lose points. So if she widens the gap, it will be impossible to catch up. Arsenal are an impeccable team. If she manages to take a comfortable lead in the rankings, it will be difficult to catch her. Exactly as was the case with Liverpool.
The English league title returned to Anfield last season, with Liverpool winning easily, without ever being in danger of losing their lead in the table. Guardiola knows what it takes to achieve that goal, having led City to six titles, including a historic run of four consecutive titles between 2020 and 2024.
He stressed that there is still a long way to go in this new battle for national supremacy, and that everything depends on the end of the season. Guardiola added: “It’s November, and at this stage of the championship, nothing is ever decided.
“What happens in February or March, we will have to be wary of it. But the season starts now. It begins first at the end of the summer transfer window, then again after the international breaks.
“By March, we’ll see each other every three days. The real season starts now. It’s important to be present and arrive at the end of the season with a chance to fight for the title. A victory (at Newcastle) would be an important step for us. »
