Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has made a candid admission, declaring it “almost impossible” to catch Arsenal, who currently sit atop the Premier League standings this season. His strong sentiments highlight the formidable challenge posed by the North London club in the ongoing title race.
Guardiola’s apprehension is well-founded, stemming from Arsenal’s remarkable defensive record. The Gunners have conceded a mere five goals throughout the season so far, a tally that includes the two goals they recently allowed in their surprising draw against Sunderland. This defensive solidity underscores why the Catalan tactician views stopping Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal as an immense hurdle in their quest for Premier League glory.
“If they (Arsenal) continue like this, playing well, not conceding goals, not even creating clear chances [for opponents], and keep winning, my God, it’s almost impossible (to catch Arsenal),” Guardiola stated emphatically. Yet, he added a note of resilience: “But, you will always hope to keep getting better and they (Arsenal) could drop points. All we can do is win every game and get closer to them. There are many things in this season that we will experience.”
Reflecting on the broader picture, Guardiola emphasized the marathon nature of the Premier League season. “What they have done over the last two or three seasons is truly amazing. The competition gets tougher every time. But, we are in early November; no one has definitely won the title yet. You can lose it, but no one has confirmed the title.” His words suggest a mix of admiration for Arsenal’s consistency and a cautious belief that the title race remains wide open.
Interestingly, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, himself a former assistant to Guardiola, previously echoed a similar sentiment from a different angle. After an incredibly impressive start to the 2025/2026 season, Arteta asserted that the only team capable of halting the North London club’s charge towards glory was Arsenal themselves. However, he also shrewdly acknowledged the formidable strength of rivals, explicitly stating that teams like Manchester City and Liverpool are too strong to be underestimated, even as Arsenal extended their lead at the summit.
Indeed, Manchester City and Liverpool stand out as the only two teams that have managed to take points from Arsenal this season. Furthermore, Newcastle United and Sunderland are the only other clubs, apart from these two Premier League giants, to have found the back of the net against The Gunners. The recent 2-2 draw at Sunderland, in particular, has now set the stage for a pivotal encounter: the winner of the upcoming Manchester City vs. Liverpool match will significantly narrow the points gap and emerge as Arsenal’s primary challenger in what promises to be an enthralling title race.
Summary
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has conceded that it is “almost impossible” to catch Arsenal, who currently lead the Premier League table. He highlighted Arsenal’s formidable defensive record, having only conceded five goals this season, as a primary reason for the challenge. Guardiola admitted that if Arsenal maintains their current form, they will be extremely difficult to overcome in the title race.
Despite his apprehension, Guardiola expressed hope, emphasizing the long nature of the Premier League season and the potential for Arsenal to drop points. He urged his team to continue winning to narrow the gap. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta also previously acknowledged the strength of rivals like Manchester City and Liverpool, who, along with Newcastle and Sunderland, are the only teams to have scored against or taken points from the Gunners this season. The upcoming match between Manchester City and Liverpool is anticipated to be a crucial encounter, potentially determining Arsenal’s main challenger.
