EPL: ‘We’re stronger team’ – Guardiola warns Arsenal as key player returns

Manchester City boss, Guardiola has told Arsenal and his ex-assistant manager, Mikel Arteta that City always become even stronger in the second part of the season.

Arsenal and Manchester City seem to be the main teams competing for the Premier League title this season.

Aston Villa was close to making a big comeback by winning 11 games in a row, but they were beaten 4-1 by Arsenal in their last match.

That win put Arsenal five points ahead at the top of the league, but Manchester City have now reduced that lead to four points following a 1-1 draw with Sunderland on New Year’s Day.

Arsenal were clearly the top team in the Premier League during the first few months of the season, but Manchester City have been looking very strong lately, winning eight matches in a row until their latest setback at Sunderland.

Manchester City have gotten a big boost with the return of former Ballon d’Or winner, Rodri.

“When you miss the best player in the world, two seasons ago, he was an amazing player who helped win a treble and four Premier Leagues in a row,” Guardiola said.

“You miss him, of course, for one week, three weeks, you can manage it. More than a year and a half has passed, which is a lot of time.

“At the end of last season, what we achieved, overcoming the problems we faced, was one of the best seasons our team has ever had.

“The people who were there, including the staff and support team from last season, were probably one of the best groups we’ve had. Because it’s how you overcome the problems.

“We have health, a pretty good sense of humor, so 2025 was a nice year. We shouldn’t judge a season just by whether you win the title or not. There are bigger things in life than that, and we always try our best.

“In this view, every time I think back on what happened last season, I feel even more proud of what we achieved as a club and how we dealt with all the tough situations. How the hierarchy, how [the chairman] Khaldoon Al Mubarak, how the CEOs really showed their support by sending strong messages like, ‘Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go.”

He added, “And of course, when we had all the seasons as a team, we were playing just like we are doing this season.

“And obviously, with Rodri, we are a much stronger team. There’s no doubt about that. I think with some players coming back, like Jérémy Doku and John Stones, it will help us.

“A lot of players have been hurt for a very long time. I’m pretty sure that we’ll be better.”