Manchester City and Arsenal are locked in a Premier League title race battle and both teams face some important fixtures across the next couple of weeks

Manchester City’s Premier League title hopes were dealt a huge blow on Sunday, as Arsenal restored their five-point lead by beating Tottenham Hotspur in the North London Derby.

City had reduced the gap with a 2-1 win against Newcastle United on Saturday and that put the pressure back on the Gunners to respond as they made the short trip to arch rivals Spurs.

But, despite a mini-scare in the first-half, Mikel Arteta’s side responded in brutal fashion. Eberechi Eze opened the scoring for the Gunners 31 minutes into the outing, before Randal Kolo Muani issued an instant response to level matters.

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Viktor Gyokeres then gave Arsenal the lead once more as the second-half resumed, with Kolo Muani once again finding the back of David Raya’s net. However, the Frenchman’s second strike was ultimately ruled out due to a foul on Gabriel in the build-up.

Eze bagged his second of the afternoon 61 minutes into the match, before Gyokeres secured a brace of his own in the game’s final stages. As a result of the 4-1 win, Arsenal now sit five points clear of City in the Premier League standings, albeit, Pep Guardiola’s Sky Blues have a game in hand on the Gunners to help close the gap once more.

With that in mind, here are Arsenal’s next five fixtures compared to Manchester City’s…

Arsenal (1st – 61 points)

Chelsea (H) – Sunday, March 1 (4:30pm) – Premier League

Brighton (A) – Wednesday, March 4 (7:30pm) – Premier League

Mansfield Town (A) – Saturday, March 7 (12:15pm) – FA Cup

Everton (H) – Sunday, March 15 (2pm) – Premier League

Manchester City – Sunday, March 22 (4:30pm) – Carabao Cup

Manchester City (2nd – 56 points)

Leeds United (A) – Saturday, February 28 (5:30pm) – Premier League

Nottingham Forest (H) – Wednesday, March 4 (7:30pm) – Premier League

Newcastle United (A) – Saturday, March 7 (8pm) – FA Cup

West Ham (A) – Saturday, March 14 (12:30pm) – Premier League

Arsenal (A) – Sunday, March 22 (4:30pm) – Carabao Cup

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Marc Guehi could have sealed a move to Liverpool last summer but instead he finds himself playing a key role in Manchester City’s push to reclaim their Premier League crown.

Marc Guehi has admitted he has had to “change his game completely” since his move to Manchester City but that he is loving life at the Etihad. Guehi moved to City in the mid-season transfer window and has made a seamless transition to life under Pep Guardiola.

Guehi hasn’t missed a minute of Premier League football since his switch the the Etihad and has already cemented his place as a first-choice pick in City’s backline.

The former Crystal Palace defender played the full 90 minutes as City secured what could be a crucial three points against Newcastle on Saturday night. Guehi was asked to reflect on his opening month at the club after the game and he admitted he has had to make a lot of changes but the switch has helped him grow as a player.

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“It’s a top club. Since I came here, everyone has been so welcoming – players and staff,” Guehi told City’s in-house media. “ I have had to change my game completely. I am learning every day.

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“When to pass the ball, committing players – so many aspects I am learning on the job. It’s been great because I have had a lot of help. How you see Pep on TV is what he is like – passionate, intense and a winner. He wants to play his way. I am just glad I have the opportunity to be here.”

City’s win over Newcastle kept the pressure on Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table. Guardiola’s side know if they win all of their remaining league games they will be crowned champions and Guehi was delighted to help his team record three points against an in-form Newcastle.

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“These games are always difficult – always tough to play in,” he added. “Newcastle show intensity, endeavour and quality – it’s a really good win. Maybe not a statement win but one which puts us in a good position.”

Manchester City claimed a 2-1 win over Newcastle United with Pep Guardiola issuing a Premier League title message to Arsenal

Pep Guardiola has delivered a clear title race message to both the Manchester City players and Arsenal after the win over Newcastle United. City claimed a 2-1 win over the Magpies to close the gap with the Gunners at the top of the Premier League table.

City are now just two points behind Arsenal, having played the same number of matches, with the Gunners facing Tottenham Hotspur in the North London Derby on Sunday afternoon.

Arsenal drew with Wolves in midweek, and City will have their game in hand once again once this weekend’s round of matches have been completed.

City’s win over Newcastle came thanks to a first-half brace from Nico O’Reilly, with Lewis Hall on the score sheet for the visitors at the Etihad Stadium.

READ MORE: ‘We need that’ – Pep Guardiola has message for Man City fans after NewcastleREAD MORE: Man City next five fixtures compared to Arsenal in title race after Newcastle United win

With the title race intensifying and just 11 more fixtures still to be played, Guardiola offered a prediction for the rest of the campaign for both City and Arsenal.

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Guardiola also sent a message to the City players ahead of their next Premier League match, which sees them travel to face Leeds United next weekend

“Many things are going to happen,” Guardiola told reporters. “I have a feeling that we are not going to win all our games. Arsenal, I don’t know.

“But I have this feeling, because FA Cup, Champions League games, then comes trouble. Many, many games. Injuries will come.

“The best way is to relax now and focus on Leeds, then we’ll see. It will depend on our level, it needs to be better, better, better.”

“We have a lot of new players, that’s why they have to live it,” Guardiola added. “I’ve said, forget about it. We have to improve, it’s not enough.

“To compete to win the Premier League you have to be there. We proved ourselves to win the three points but we have to do better to have the chance to do it.

“I say to the guys, ‘Take a lot of caipirinhas and daiquiris in these three days, enjoy life’. And after that, make a proper three training sessions and go to Leeds. That is a proper way.

“I know how difficult it will be. If it doesn’t go well, we keep going, never give up. Ten or 11 games is a lot in the Premier League.”

Despite winning five Premier League trophies in the past, Guardiola pointed to the inexperience in the City squad in a title race and praised the home fans in the win over Newcastle.

“70% of the players never played in that situation and I don’t play. We have to believe it,” Guardiola told TNT Sports.

“They know, we know, that until the end of the season every game will be like this.

“Today we had the best crowd of the year. It was unbelievable. I am really proud to be manager of these incredible fans.”

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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola spoke about the atmosphere at the Etihad after their 2-1 win over Newcastle

Pep Guardiola wants a repeat performance at Manchester City for the rest of the season – from the fans. Two goals from Nico O’Reilly earned a big win over Newcastle in the Premier League title race and Guardiola wants the Etihad as alive as it was on Saturday night for the rest of their run-in.

Recent matches in various competitions at the Etihad have seen empty seats at matches, with nine games in seven weeks proving too much for some supporters amid various issues around the matchday. But it was a full house for the fourth out of five confirmed meetings with Newcastle this season and the fans played their part in the Blues moving to within two points of Arsenal at the top of the table.

“Always I say to the players [that] we have to play for the fans – I have incredible respect for them,” said Guardiola. “Sometimes they cannot come for the price, for many reasons, because we play in midweek for example at 8pm, and the day after the kids have to be at school, the father and mother has to go to work.

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“And today, tomorrow is off, tomorrow is Sunday, so it’s perfect, and look at the opponent. We need that, I encourage them to come, we try to do our best, we don’t want to disappoint. Today the connection and vibe with our fans was the best of the season. We have five games left [at home in the Premier League], we need that vibe.”

Meanwhile Guardiola started his press conference by congratulating James Milner after the former City player set a new standard in the league. “Today he made an incredible milestone to become the player with most appearances in the Premier League – it’s incredible, hats off!” he said.

“This is consistency, this is love for the game. I know he will become an incredible top golf player, but what he has done is unbelievable. So on behalf of Man City, because he played here, James, congratulations.”

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Manchester City’s injury concerns are easing with the Blues set to welcome back another two players from injury

Pep Guardiola could have Jeremy Doku and Savinho back in time to face Newcastle next week as Manchester City’s injury problems ease. Savinho has been out since New Year’s Day while Doku went down later in the month to leave the Blues short of wide players despite the arrival of Antoine Semenyo.

City were poor in beating League Two side Salford City on Saturday, with Guardiola putting the team’s struggles down to poor build-up and reading of the game. He was adamant that using wingers would have seen a better performance, but didn’t want to overload new signing Semenyo.

Savinho could have featured after stunning the manager in training this week but it was decided not to throw the Brazilian straight in. He should be in contention for Newcastle though, and Guardiola remains excited by the winger’s potential.

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“He’s [been] injured for six to eight weeks, two months is a lot of time,” he said. “He could play a few minutes but we didn’t want to take risks and step by step. Training two days ago with us, it was like wow. He played so good in training. When Savinho will learn to make the finished product in terms of assists, he will be an unbelievable winger on both sides.

“We know how important Doku is to break teams like Salford or teams who defend deep – proper guys who have the ability to drop them and dribbles help us a lot in the way we want to play. I’m more than delighted with how the team behave.”

Doku has not yet returned to training but is ‘close’ to a return and could also be back as soon as next week. Those two comebacks will leave Mateo Kovacic and Josko Gvardiol as the only long-term absentees in the squad, and Guardiola said on Friday that Kovacic is back on the grass as he enters the final stages of his recovery.

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Manchester City advanced to the fifth round of the FA Cup on Saturday afternoon but the performance against League Two Salford City was below par

Manchester City had a week to remember leading up to their FA Cup fourth-round tie against Salford City this weekend. It started at Anfield, a bogey ground for so long and with 15 minutes of normal time remaining, it looked like it would remain that way too.

But City dug deep and found a way to win as Bernardo Silva’s instinctive finish and an Erling Haaland penalty saw the Blues beat Liverpool on Merseyside, with fans, for the first time under Pep Guardiola. City then took that momentum and carried it into Wednesday night when Fulham were brushed aside before half-time.

The mood only got lighter on Thursday when Arsenal dropped points at Brentford to ensure the gap was cut to four with the two teams still set to meet each other in the Premier League at the Etihad Stadium in April. When Guardiola sat down for his pre-match press conference, he was understandably happy but he explained his team was mentally and physically tired.

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However, he also insisted the standards which they demand every day should not alter, regardless of the opposition. “I try to knuckle it in the minds of the players that nothing is taken for granted and everything is difficult,” Guardiola said.

After the full-time whistle, Guardiola was insistent on one thing. Those standards had not been reached. “The only good news [is] that we go through. That’s all,” the City boss insisted. “It would be nice for me to say mentally we’re exhausted, we’re tired. It has been a tough two or three weeks for many reasons but it’s our job.

“We have to do what we have to do. The calendar says to play every few days. We just didn’t read where the spaces were and that’s why everything was flat and slow and not good.”

Arguably it was only James Trafford who managed to come away with any form of credit having made a couple of good stops to avoid a potentially nervier afternoon. But while none of the outfield players came away with much credit, two have potentially missed a big chance to give Guardiola a headache as we head towards what will be a busy March.

The first was Tijjani Reijnders. In December and over the Christmas period, the Dutchman showed the sort of goalscoring form City were hoping he would bring when he arrived from AC Milan.

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But, with a host of players who can play in the 4-1-4-1 formation behind the centre-forward, you need to stand out when you get your chance. Unfortunately for Reijnders, he was too casual with the ball and he often saw the game breakdown when he chose the wrong option.

Where Reijnders can be forgiven is that he is still settling into English football, in his first season at a new club. Inconsistent performances can be expected.

More concerning, though, was Phil Foden’s display. City’s academy graduate was burnt out last season after a summer international tournament and there was signs earlier in the season, the midfielder could be returning to the lofty standards he sets himself.

However, the 25-year-old has not scored since December and his displays are more reminiscent of the Foden of 2024/25 rather than 2023/24. On Foden, Guardiola said after Salford: “I said many times, I have zero, zero, zero doubts, zero about Phil.

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“He has to recover himself good and just focus on playing football and going to fish. He loves fishing and that’s it.

“When he is that, Phil is back and will be back. It’s not 20 centuries ago when he was the best player in the Premier League. It was around the corner. It was not many seasons ago.”

But while Guardiola does not doubt Foden, it is hard to see a scenario where he starts against Newcastle United next weekend. Bernardo, Rayan Cherki and perhaps even Nico O’Reilly are ahead of both him and Reijnders at the moment.

Against Salford, those who do not play often had the chance to make a point to Guardiola. Especially the likes of Reijnders and Foden who provide an option in an area where the Blues are so well stocked.

Now they must wait for their next chance having missed a golden opportunity to give Guardiola something to think about.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola spoke about his team’s performance in their 2-0 win over Salford in the FA Cup

Pep Guardiola said the only good thing about Manchester City’s afternoon against Salford City in the FA Cup was that they won. The Blues are through to the fifth round of the competition but it was an afternoon to forget at the Etihad otherwise.

City’s manager had been clear before the game about the need for his squad to have a break. They have played two games a week for almost all of the season and they have also had the psychological highs and lows of the Premier League title race to contend with over recent matches.

However, Guardiola did not look to use tiredness as an excuse as he instead said that the City XI he put out simply weren’t good enough at realising where the spaces were on the pitch so that they could attack their opponents. The only part of the game that the City boss was happy with was after they had gone 2-0 up in the 81st minute.

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“We didn’t read the spaces where we were,” he said. “The spaces in attack depend on how they defend and we didn’t read it. We spent a lot of time to make the process a little quicker than that. The only good news [is] that we go through. That’s all.

“It would be nice for me to say mentally we’re exhausted, we’re tired. It has been a tough two or three weeks for many reasons but it’s our job. We have to do what we have to do. The calendar says to play every few days. We just didn’t read where the spaces were and that’s why everything was flat and slow and not good.”

The draw for the fifth round will be on Monday evening ahead of the game between Macclesfield and Brentford, with the game taking place before the first leg of City’s last-16 clash in the Champions League. They will find out who they face in that match at the end of the month after the play-off games between Inter and Bodo/Glimt, and Real Madrid and Benfica.

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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is looking to improve his squad for the final months of the season as players return from injury

Pep Guardiola cannot wait to welcome Mateo Kovacic back into the Manchester City team after the midfielder returned to the training pitches again. The Croatian midfielder is not expected to return imminently but is well down the road to coming back after his second surgery in the last 12 months.

Kovacic had an operation on an Achilles injury last summer that saw him miss the Club World Cup and ruled him out until September. He made substitute appearances against Everton and Villarreal in the following month but was still in pain and had to undergo more surgery that has seen him out ever since.

Considering he was one of three players Guardiola was counting on in holding midfield this season, and another – Rodri – has also struggled with injuries on his return from an ACL, Kovacic’s absence has been keenly felt. As City look to get stronger for the final months of the season when the Champions League knockouts begin, Guardiola is looking forward to making use of the 31-year-old’s skills and experience.

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“I miss him a lot because his ability in short passes,” he said. “I remember last season when we played without proper wingers and played with a lot of players inside, Bernardo Rodri, him – this connection with Jeremy and Phil was magnificent how they could break 1vs1s, to dribble the opponent and break the next line.

“I have already missed Kova a lot but the last game he played was Fulham before the Club World Cup. He tried to make surgery to be fit for the season and unfortunately it was not good. I spoke with him the last days and he said he feels really, really good compared to the first surgery and hopefully he can help us in the last part of the season.

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“To have continuity of a game every three days will take time but as much as you can select good minutes he is a special player with special quality and mentality – another player for the biggest stages, he is so brave. First for his health and life to play football, that is what we want but Kova is an important player that we miss a lot.”

Jeremy Doku and Savinho are also expected to return from their respective injuries in the coming weeks to further bring down the injury list at the Etihad. That would leave Josko Gvardiol as the only player sidelined, although Rodri could face a ban after being charged by the FA for his comments on refereeing after the Spurs draw.

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Manchester City have been battling some significant injury troubles across the team, with Pep Guardiola giving an update on Erling Haaland’s fitness situation after the Fulham game

The Premier League title race is heating up, as Manchester City applied pressure on Arsenal once again by picking up an important win in midweek action.

A first-half blitz from Pep Guardiola’s men saw them defeat Fulham, as goals from Antoine Semenyo, Nico O’Reilly, and Erling Haaland handed them victory at the Etihad Stadium.

With the gap at the top now down to just three points, it’s up to City’s title rivals Arsenal to respond, as they are in action on Thursday against an in-form Brentford side.

In the meantime, Guardiola will be keen to rally his troops once more, hopeful of avoiding injuries at a key time of the season when they can start to crank up the pressure on their rivals for the Premier League crown.

So, with that said, here’s a look at the latest City injury news, including an update on Haaland after the Fulham victory.

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Erling Haaland

City fans were left nervous over Haaland’s fitness after the goalscorer was substituted at half-time during his side’s win over Fulham.

Fortunately, Guardiola downplayed the issue after the match, as he told reporters: “Niggles. Some problems, he didn’t feel comfortable, it was 3-0.

“The reason why is too many games. Fatigue. He said ‘I don’t feel comfortable’. With 3-0 and with a lot of games and with having Omar [Marmoush], common sense.”

As a result, it’s unclear whether Haaland will feature against Salford in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday, before City turn back to Premier League action against Newcastle the following weekend.

John Stones

After a spell out of the team through injury, John Stones finally made his return to the City squad again in midweek, featuring on the bench.

The defender was an unused substitute, while he could make an appearance against Salford in the FA Cup over the weekend.

Jeremy Doku

Jeremy Doku is still out through injury, having picked up a calf problem against Galatasaray in the Champions League earlier this season.

There is an expectation that he could return at some point this month, but it remains to be seen whether the recovery will meet that timeline.

Josko Gvardiol

City will be without Josko Gvardiol for the foreseeable future, with the defender picking up a tibial fracture in the clash with Chelsea.

There is hope that the Croatian international will be back at some point before the end of the season, with a few months left for him to make a return.

Savinho

Savinho has struggled to get going this season, having failed to get many minutes on the pitch with some proper momentum, as injuries continue to impact him.

The Brazilian winger was lined up for a possible return this week, but after failing to make the squad against Fulham, it’s unclear exactly when he will be available once again.

Mateo Kovacic

It’s been a tough campaign for Mateo Kovacic, who picked up an ankle problem in November, and has been unable to play for City ever since. A return seems unlikely until next month at the earliest.

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Pep Guardiola spoke about Erling Haaland after the Manchester City striker was replaced at half time during the Premier League game with Fulham

Pep Guardiola played down concerns over an injury to Erling Haaland after the Manchester City striker was taken off half way through their Premier League win over Fulham. Haaland scored City’s third shortly before the break but did not reappear for the second half, with Omar Marmoush coming on in his place at the interval.

Haaland had been taken out in the build-up to the second goal but played on before he was taken off and told the coaching staff that he didn’t feel right. With the lead they had and the rest that can lie ahead for the Norwegian, Guardiola and his medical staff decided the best thing to do was not to risk anything.

“Niggles. Some problems, he didn’t feel comfortable, it was 3-0,” said Guardiola. “The reason why is too many games. Fatigue. He said ‘I don’t feel comfortable’. With 3-0 and with a lot of games and with having Omar, common sense.”

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The Egyptian was unable to make much of an impact, with City failing to offer a threat in a game that petered out and finished 3-0. Guardiola though was delighted with the performance that sees the Blues move to within three points of Arsenal before the league leaders play Brentford on Thursday night.

Haaland’s goal against Fulham means he has scored in back to back Premier League matches having netted just once, from the penalty spot against Brighton, in his previous seven. He has 28 goals in all competitions for City this season.

City are in FA Cup action this weekend against League Two side Salford City, before a free midweek ahead of the visit of Newcastle United to the Etihad in the Premier League. A sparse February ends with a trip to Leeds in the Premier League at the end of the month before games in four competitions in March including the Carabao Cup final.

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The Carabao Cup Final will see Arsenal v Manchester City at London’s Wembley Stadium this March.

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