Manchester City are in a race for the Premier League title race and while each season is unique, Pep Guardiola has drawn similarities between Arsenal and his team’s rivals in the past.
The gap between Manchester City and Arsenal in the Premier League currently stands at five points, but this would change with a victory over Newcastle United.
Mikel Arteta’s team have been very consistent for most of the season, but have recently been held to draws by Brentford and Wolves.
Despite this, Guardiola has been impressed by Arsenal and he has even noted some similarities between the current league leaders and Man City’s title rivals from previous years.
Pep Guardiola compares Arsenal with Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool
In the past, City have often found themselves in a two-horse race with Liverpool for the league title. As a result, Guardiola’s team would actually play better because they knew there was no option other than to win every single game.
This pattern has been seen again during the current season, only this time it is Arsenal who are keeping Man City on their toes.
Pep Guardiola is getting the 'same feeling' with Mikel Arteta's Arsenal that he did with Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool teams 📈 pic.twitter.com/daavxdWFrh
— Hayters TV (@HaytersTV) February 20, 2026
Guardiola said: “Listen, the experiences that we lived in the past against Liverpool that we should win a lot of games. I never thought like today when there’s 12 games left, we’re going to win 12 games. Never, ever thought that. It happened because we knew that the rival is so strong, if we lose games, it will be so difficult.
“It’s the same feeling I have with Arsenal. Arsenal drop points in the last games but they can win in a row, a lot of games. That’s why I’m thinking my focus it doesn’t change. If we win the 12 games we will be champions, that’s good news?
“But who knows that, I cannot assure you, but they did assure you when it happened in the past against Jurgen, to win both teams a lot of games.”
Man City deal with pressure better than Arsenal
Manchester City have a good understanding that there is no margin for error at this point in the season. Dropping points now could ultimately see them punished at the end of the season.
Arsenal on the other hand have struggled at this stage in the past. They have often led the Premier League table for much of the campaign, only to begin cracking as time progresses.
There are already signs that this will happen again, but ultimately, the Gunners still lead the way for now. That means City have to keep performing week-in week-out in order to keep the pressure on.
