Pep Guardiola Declares Arsenal ‘Best Team in the World’ as Man City Chase Premier League Glory

Pep Guardiola praise Arsenal dominance as Manchester City attempt to close seven-point Premier League gap.

Pep Guardiola praise for Arsenal has dominated headlines since the Manchester City manager described the club as the “best team in the world right now” during the Premier League title race.

With Arsenal sitting seven points clear at the top of the table, Guardiola admitted his side face an enormous challenge to catch Mikel Arteta’s in-form Gunners as the season enters a decisive phase.

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As of January 2026, Arsenal lead the Premier League with 50 points from 22 matches, recording 15 wins, five draws, and just two defeats. Their goal difference of +26 highlights a balance between defensive solidity and attacking efficiency.

Manchester City sit second on 43 points, having won 13 games but dropped crucial points through recent draws and defeats. Aston Villa remain close behind, though the title race has increasingly narrowed to Arsenal and City once again.

Speaking ahead of City’s league fixture against Wolves, Guardiola offered rare public admiration for a rival.

The City boss pointed to Arsenal’s consistency across competitions, highlighting their performances in the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup as evidence of their current superiority.

Despite the praise, Guardiola insisted belief remains strong within his squad, describing his players as an “extraordinary group” capable of improving and applying pressure late in the campaign.

Manchester City struggles open door for Arsenal

City’s recent form has fuelled Arsenal’s advantage. Guardiola’s side remain winless in four league matches, including a damaging 2–0 defeat to Manchester United. A midweek Champions League loss to Bodo/Glimt further underlined their dip, with just two wins recorded since the start of the year.

Those results have allowed Arsenal to build breathing space at the summit, capitalising ruthlessly on their rivals’ dropped points.

In contrast, Arsenal remain unbeaten in their last 12 matches across all competitions. A hard-fought 0–0 draw away at Nottingham Forest preserved their lead and showcased the resilience Arteta has instilled.

The Arsenal manager, once Guardiola’s assistant, has overseen a transformation that now sees his side competing confidently on both domestic and European fronts.

Manchester City host Wolves on Saturday knowing a win could temporarily cut the gap to four points. Arsenal then travel to face Manchester United on Sunday, a fixture that could further define the title picture.

City have moved to address defensive injuries by signing Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace, but Guardiola cautioned that no single addition will solve their issues, stressing the need for collective improvement.

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