Overview
- Manchester City trail Arsenal by five points after the Gunners beat Aston Villa 4-1, with City able to cut the gap to two by winning at Sunderland on Thursday.
- Pep Guardiola rejected the idea that the title fight is just between City and Arsenal, noting how quickly perceptions of contenders have shifted.
- Guardiola accused Sky Sports of twisting his words during a press conference, saying he must be careful because his remarks are shown as the opposite on screen.
- Reports say City are close to a £65m deal for Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo, though Guardiola insisted he has no transfer news and described the window as "completely closed right now."
- Oscar Bobb has been linked in reports with a loan to Borussia Dortmund that could become a £30m permanent move, while City visit a Sunderland side unbeaten at home after closing 2025 with eight straight wins.