EPL: Pep Guardiola Shrugs Off Arsenal Slip-Up as City Eyes Title

Manchester City's Pep Guardiola keeps feet on ground as Arsenal's title lead narrows to 5 points

Pep Guardiola says he 'couldn't care less' about Arsenal's slip-up, focusing on Manchester City's match against Newcastle United.

“I didn't talk about the table, or our position or something like that. I could not care less...”

Pep Guardiola is shrugging off Arsenal's recent stumble, saying he “couldn't care less” about the Gunners' slip-up, which has handed Manchester City a lifeline in the Premier League title race. City, currently second-place, are just five points behind Arsenal with a game in hand.

Guardiola's side had been in danger of falling further behind after Arsenal's inconsistent form, but the recent draws against Wolves and Brentford have given City hope. The Manchester City manager knows the final weeks of the season will bring twists and turns, having won six titles in 10 years.

Guardiola remains focused on Saturday's match against Newcastle United, saying “I didn't talk about the table, or our position or something like that. I could not care less... Just Newcastle, Newcastle, Newcastle.” He's emphasizing the importance of consistency, stating that 12 games left is “an eternity.”

Manchester City is closing in on Arsenal, now just five points behind with a game in hand and a home match against Mikel Arteta's men to come in April. If City wins their remaining 12 matches, they'll be crowned champions for the fifth time in the last six seasons.

"Many things are going to happen before the end of the season"

Pep Guardiola on the ever-evolving Premier League title race with Arsenal 🔴 pic.twitter.com/RXyMZUMD6t

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) February 20, 2026

The pressure is mounting on Arsenal, who've managed just two victories in their last seven league matches. Mikel Arteta is urging his players to “live in the present” and focus on the upcoming North London Derby against Tottenham Hotspur.

Pep Guardiola is keeping things real, focusing on Newcastle instead of getting hyped about closing the gap on Arsenal. A win on Saturday would bring City within two points of the Gunners, who face Tottenham in the north London derby on Sunday.

Guardiola's keeping it low-key, saying “I couldn't care less” about the title race, emphasizing there are 12 games left, and that's a lot can happen. He's prioritizing Newcastle, and his squad's experience, or lack thereof, might be a factor.

“I didn't talk about the table, or our position or something like that. I could not care less,” Guardiola told reporters on Friday.

"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.”

Pep Guardiola is well aware that the final weeks of the season can be unpredictable, having won six titles in 10 years at Manchester City. He's also got a history with Arsenal, having snatched the trophy from them in 2023 and 2024 after they let substantial leads slip away.

Guardiola's experience has taught him to stay focused, and he's not getting carried away with City's current title challenge. Instead, he's prioritizing Saturday's match against Newcastle United, knowing that a win would close the gap on leaders Arsenal to two points.

He said:

Many things are going to happen until the end of the season. For now it is Newcastle, a rest and after it Leeds. It has always been like that.

Seventy per cent of the players are new, so they don't have the experience to live these kinds of situations. An experience is to win tomorrow. It is only one.

Arsenal were nine points (ahead) when we had a game in hand, so whenever everybody is on the same games played, then after that we will see the difference.

I understand you want to anticipate what is going to happen. That doesn't count. It is Newcastle, that is all.

Pep Guardiola believes racism is a broader societal issue that needs to be addressed beyond just football. He made these comments in response to Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior alleging racial abuse by Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni during a Champions League match. The game was paused for 11 minutes after Vinicius reported the incident to the referee, triggering UEFA's anti-racism protocol.

Vinicius claimed Prestianni called him a “monkey” after scoring, while Prestianni denied the allegation. Real Madrid has provided evidence to UEFA, which is investigating the incident. The Portuguese government has also opened an investigation into the alleged racial abuse.

“There is a lot of work still to do. It is in the society, it is not just in football. Racism is everywhere,” Guardiola said.

“You pretend that racism is just for the colour of the skin? How you behave is racism.

“It's how you pretend you are better than the other one just for many reasons.”