Pep Guardiola has rejected suggestions this season Premier League The title race is narrowing down to a straight fight between them Manchester City And Arsenal, insisting the picture could change rapidly as the campaign develops.

Arsenal went five points clear at the top with an emphatic 4-1 win over Aston Villa on Tuesday night, leaving Unai Emery’s side six points off the pace for third.

City have the chance to close the gap again when they face Sunderland on Thursday night, but Guardiola was reluctant to frame the situation as a two-team contest.

Asked whether the title would be decided between City and Arsenal, he questioned the changing narrative around the race. “Are you sure?” he said. “A few weeks it was just Arsenal, two days ago it was three teams in the title race. And now it’s just one. We’ll see.”

Liverpool are currently fourth and face an uphill task in defending their title, 13 points behind Arsenal, while City enter Thursday’s game on an eight-match winning streak in all competitions to end a challenging, trophyless 2025.

Their trip to the Stadium of Light, however, presents a tougher test against a Sunderland side unbeaten at home this season.

The newly promoted side from Regis Le Brice sit seventh at the halfway stage and have already taken points from several leading sides. Guardiola pointed to the difficulty of the fixture, recalling previous visits and the atmosphere on Wearside.

“That means they’re pretty tough,” he said. “I remember when I went there in my first season the crowd was unbelievable. They beat Newcastle. Arsenal and Aston Villa couldn’t win there. It will be really difficult but at the same time we are ready.”

Attention has also turned to the January transfer window, which opens on Thursday, with City expected to be active.

Reports claim they are close to agreeing a £65m deal with Bournemouth for forward Antoine Semenyo, but Guardiola was coy when asked about the potential signing. “I have to be careful what I say,” he said. “That’s why I said yesterday before and on the day of the game, the transfer window is now completely closed.”

Speculation is also rife around a possible loan move for Oscar Bob to Borussia Dortmund, although Guardiola denied any certainty over a departure.

“When it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen,” he said. “I don’t know any news about anything right now. You can ask Oscar, not me.”