Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has acknowledged that Arsenal could quickly become “difficult to catch” in the Premier League title race if they continue to widen the gap at the top of the table.
City have an opportunity to close the distance on Saturday when they visit Newcastle United in the late kick-off. A victory would reduce Arsenal’s current lead to just one point—at least temporarily—before the Gunners host Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
Speaking ahead of the match, Guardiola praised Arsenal’s consistency and warned his players of the danger of letting Mikel Arteta’s side pull too far ahead.
“Arsenal are an impeccable team,” Guardiola said. “If they manage to take some distance in points, it will be difficult to catch up.
“Just like how it went with Liverpool last season.”
Liverpool ultimately finished 10 points ahead of Arsenal in the Premier League standings last season—a reminder, Guardiola noted, of how quickly a title race can slip away without sustained pressure.
