Verdict issued: Pep Guardiola
Arsenal Football Newsletter
Pep Guardiola has deemed Arsenal “the best team in the world” as his Manchester City side slips away in the Premier League title race.
City have won six league titles under Guardiola’s leadership, but their odds of winning a seventh this season are growing slimmer by the day.
They are winless in their last four Premier League outings, recording three draws and a loss since, and are losing touch with Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, who are now seven points clear at the top of the table with 16 matches left to play.
Asked for his assessment on the title race, Guardiola admitted that Arsenal were setting the standard.
“Absolutely, [Arsenal are] the best team right now in the world,” he said. “Look in the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, they are the best team right now.”
He continued, acknowledging City needed to close the gap: “Hopefully we can be close, get better and better. Give us one chance to catch them.”
Pep Guardiola has endured a difficult start to 2026
Arsenal have only been beaten twice in the Premier League this season, and drew 1-1 with City when the two sides met in late September. The Gunners are due to visit the Etihad in the reverse fixture in April.
Read More
Transfer news LIVE! Arsenal deal close; shock Chelsea hijack
Man City XI vs Wolves: Confirmed team news and predicted lineup
Guardiola reveals Guehi debut plan amid two-man Man City injury update
Reset your wellbeing for the year ahead
Guardiola has plenty of issues to fix before then, though, as City’s form falters across the board. Their latest humiliation came in the Champions League as they were beaten 3-0 by away to Norway’s Bodo/Glimt.
The visit of Wolves on Saturday marks a presentable chance to get back to form, though.
Asked whether City required a ‘statement’ performance as the Premier League’s bottom club head to the Etihad, Guardiola said: “We cannot lose games, right? We cannot. Man City are so perfect that we cannot lose games.
“It is what it is. We have to change the dynamic and win games tomorrow and next Wednesday, to try and win the game, score goals.”