‘Are you sure?’ – Guardiola questions two-horse race

Following a stunning 4-1 defeat of rivals Aston Villa on Tuesday, Mikel Arteta’s men were five points clear of City.

Unai Emery’s third-placed team lost six points off the pace after the defeat, but City can close the gap with a win at Sunderland on Thursday (kick-off 20:00 GMT).

When asked if City or the Gunners were the only contenders, Guardiola responded, “Are you sure?”

City’s eight-game winning streak at the Stadium of Light, home to Sunderland, was unbeaten all year long, ending a forgettable and trophyless 2025 in style.

Regis le Bris’ side made a remarkable comeback to the top, finishing seventh halfway through.

That implies that they are extremely tough, Guardiola said. The crowd was incredible in my first season, I can recall. They defeated Newcastle. Aston Villa and Arsenal couldn’t possibly triumph there.

On Thursday, the winter transfer window will open, with City seeing both incoming and incoming transfers.

According to reports from BBC Sport, Guardiola’s side are close to reaching a $65 million deal with Bournemouth to sign forward Antoine Semenyo.

When asked about the Ghanaian’s future, Guardiola responded, “I have to be careful what I say.

“The transfer window is completely closed right now,” I said yesterday before the game started.

Meanwhile, reports suggest Oscar Bobb could join Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund on loan.