20.2.2026
Manchester City welcome Newcastle United to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, a win will boost their chances of closing the gap against Arsenal, but coach Pep Guardiola insist, the Premier League is still a long stretch.
With a game in hand City can reduce Arsenal’s five points lead to two if they win. The Gunners who squandered a 2-0 advantage against Wolves midweek top the table with 58 points and City are chasing with 53 points. Arsenal play against Tottenham in a London derby on Sunday.
City, boosted by the return of forward Erling Haaland and winger Savinho are looking to overhaul Arsenal in the hunt for their seventh league title under Guardiola.
“Many things are going to happen until the end of the season,” Guardiola told reporters on Friday as City, who have 12 matches left remain optimistic they can catch Arsenal.
“I did not talk about the table. I could not care less … 12 games is an eternity. That’s the only truth I have.”
Guardiola nodded when asked if Haaland, who leads the league with 22 goals, was fit to face Newcastle on Saturday after missing the last two games due to an injury.
Winger Savinho, who has been out for nearly seven weeks with a thigh injury, is also ready to play again, Guardiola said. With Reuters reports