Guardiola ‘couldn’t care less’ about Arsenal stumble in title race

Pep Guardiola insisted he “couldn’t care less” about Arsenal’s stumble letting Manchester City back into the Premier League title race.

Guardiola’s side was in danger of being blown away by Arsenal after its inconsistent form left the Gunners in pole position. But second-placed City has been handed a lifeline by Arsenal’s damaging draws against Wolves and Brentford.

The Manchester outfit is now just five points behind Arsenal with a game in hand and a home match against Mikel Arteta’s men to come in April. If City wins its remaining 12 matches, it will be crowned champion for the fifth time in the last six seasons.

But Guardiola is not getting carried away by the opportunity.

Instead, he remains focused on Saturday’s (February 22, 2026) visit from Newcastle, when a win would close the gap on Arsenal to two points before the Gunners face Tottenham in the North London derby on Sunday (February 22, 2026).

“I didn’t talk about the table, or our position or something like that. I could not care less,” Guardiola said on Friday (February 20, 2026). “I didn’t talk about that for one second. Just Newcastle, Newcastle, Newcastle. If you ask me this question with two or three games left, I will have your answer. It’s 12 games left, it’s an eternity.”

Having won six titles during 10 years at City, Guardiola knows the final weeks of the season will bring more twists and turns. He also has experience of watching Arsenal let substantial leads slip away in the 2023 and 2024 title races, allowing City to snatch the trophy from its grasp.