City Boss Guardiola Playing Catch-Up To 'Best Team In The World' Arsenal With New Recruits?

Last Updated:January 23, 2026, 19:53 IST

City, who are seven points behind Mikel Arteta's Gunners, look to reduce the gap at the top as they brought in Marc Guehi to add to Anotine Semenyo's arrival.

Pep Guardiola. (Picture credit: AP)

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola opined that his side faces the challenge of chasing down the best team in the world, referring to Premier League leaders Arsenal. He made these remarks while defending his players after a difficult week.

City suffered a significant defeat to local rivals Manchester United last weekend, followed by an unexpected loss to Norway’s Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League on Tuesday.

As of 2026, Guardiola’s team has yet to secure a league victory, allowing Arsenal to establish a seven-point lead in the title race.

Nevertheless, the City manager expressed confidence in his “extraordinary" group of players, who are still competing for trophies in four different tournaments.

Guardiola highlighted Arsenal’s impressive performance, noting their success in both the Premier League and Champions League, where they have won all seven matches.

“Absolutely, the best team right now in the world," the Spaniard said.

“So look in the Champions League, in the Premier League, look in (the) FA Cup, in Carabao Cup – it’s the best team right now.

He expressed hope that City could improve and eventually catch up with Arsenal. Guardiola praised his team as “extraordinary" and emphasised their unity and strength.

City’s recent struggles have coincided with injuries to key defenders Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol.

“Hopefully we can be close and getting better, getting better and have the chance to catch them.

“I have an extraordinary team, an extraordinary group of players. And we are all together. We are a fantastic football team, I don’t have any doubts about that."

The addition of Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace is expected to help, with the England international set to debut against Wolves on Saturday.

Guardiola pointed out Guehi’s exceptional experience and its importance given the current absence of central defenders.

While Dias, Gvardiol, and Nico Gonzalez remain sidelined, Matheus Nunes may return after missing the last two games due to a virus.

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