In previous years when Man City dominated almost absolutely in the Premier League, the 2021-2022 season was very memorable when the confrontation with Liverpool was extremely tense. In the second leg of the season, the two teams drew 2-2 at Etihad and Pep Guardiola had to exclaim that he and his students had missed the opportunity to cut off the opponent.
After that match, Man City was 1 point ahead of Liverpool and both teams had 7 more matches with the task of winning all. Finally, Man City won the championship with 93 points, 1 point ahead of Liverpool. Pep regretted not widening the gap with Liverpool in the match at the Etihad and Klopp also regretted not being able to overthrow the opponent.
This season, the championship race about a month ago was still not too exciting when Man City was unstable and Arsenal still won continuously. However, since then, especially after round 23, it has been heated up again when Arsenal lost painfully to Man United.
Before Man City drew Sunderland at The Light on New Year's Day 2026, they were 5 points behind Arsenal. Then, Pep's team drew 3 consecutive matches and lost to Man United in round 22, but the gap between them and Arsenal was only 4 points. This is a paradoxical fact to hear, but it is true! Man City only won 6/15 maximum points in that period but still narrowed the gap with Arsenal.
The reason is that in the same period, Arsenal only won 5/12 maximum points. Man City should blame themselves after the draw with Brighton on January 7, which was their 3rd consecutive draw. After that, Arsenal drew with Liverpool again. Last weekend, when Man City played too badly against Man United, Arsenal drew with Nottingham again. At this point, when looking at the gap of only 4 points, someone with the DNA of a champion like Pep Guardiola must have felt that the opportunity is gradually returning.
The current Man City squad is in a transitional phase and cannot be compared with the generation that set countless records for winning streaks. Overall, Arsenal is still the team with better depth, stable playing style and better form. However, when the opportunity is near for such a comeback, Pep Guardiola certainly will not give up. The upcoming opponent in the Premier League is Tottenham, the team considered the nemesis in recent seasons. However, while Spurs are struggling with Thomas Frank, Man City can regain 3 points right in London.
After that, Man City will face Liverpool at Anfield, a stadium they have only won once since 2003. The time Man City won was when there was a COVID-19 pandemic. Anfield from then on also lost the strength that cheering could strangle the opponent as usual. Arsenal's next two matches will face Leeds (away) and Sunderland (home). If Man City passes this stage, even if Arsenal wins both Leeds and Sunderland, everything remains hopeful for the former champion.
In recent years, Man City has come back many times in the championship race. This time, no one doubts they can do it again.
