Manchester City have reached verbal with Arsenal Star on a permanent transfer deal

Pep Guardiola stood in front of the cameras with a calm face, but everyone could hear the fire in his voice. Manchester City had just gone through one of the hardest weeks of their modern history, and many people were already writing them off. Some were saying the season was over. Others were questioning Guardiola himself. But Pep was not ready to accept defeat. Not now. Not ever. Instead, he delivered a powerful message that surprised many. According to Guardiola, Manchester City are not chasing just any team. They are chasing what he called “the best team in the world right now.” And that team is Arsenal.

It was a bold statement. Some might even call it shocking. Pep Guardiola, a man who has dominated English football for years, openly admitted that Arsenal have become the standard. He said it clearly and without hesitation. Arsenal, who currently sit at the top of the Premier League table, are not just leading England. In Pep’s eyes, they are leading world football. This was not mind games. This was respect. And it was also a challenge.

The timing of Guardiola’s words mattered. Manchester City were coming off a humiliating weekend. First, they were beaten convincingly by Manchester United in the derby. The loss hurt not just because it was against their local rivals, but because City looked flat, slow, and unusually vulnerable. Fans were stunned. Analysts were ruthless. Then came the Champions League disaster. Away in Norway, City suffered one of the biggest shocks in European football history, losing to Bodo/Glimt. A result nobody saw coming. A result that shook the football world.

Two heavy defeats in a few days. Confidence damaged. Momentum gone. And on top of that, City still had not won a single league game in 2026. As the calendar turned, so did their form, and not in a good way. Arsenal took full advantage. While City were stumbling, Arsenal were flying. Seven Premier League wins. Seven Champions League wins. A seven-point gap opened up at the top of the table. For the first time in years, Manchester City were not the hunters. They were the ones being chased.

Many managers would panic in this situation. Some would blame referees. Others would hint at bad luck. Guardiola did none of that. Instead, he defended his players strongly. He spoke about unity. He spoke about belief. And he spoke about quality. Pep made it clear that even though Arsenal are ahead, Manchester City are still alive. Still dangerous. Still competing on four fronts.

He reminded everyone that City are still in the Champions League, still in the FA Cup, still in the Carabao Cup, and still fighting in the Premier League. According to him, nothing is finished. Nothing is decided. Football seasons are long, and pressure changes everything. Guardiola believes his team can respond. He believes they will respond.

“I have an extraordinary team,” he said. Those words were not empty. Guardiola has always trusted his players, even during tough times. He described them as an extraordinary group, united and strong together. He insisted that Manchester City are still a fantastic football team, even if results recently have suggested otherwise. For Pep, this is just another challenge in a long career filled with obstacles.

But belief alone is not enough. Guardiola knows this. He understands that football is about moments, fitness, decisions, and depth. And right now, Manchester City have been hurt badly by injuries. The absence of key defenders has played a massive role in their struggles. Ruben Dias, one of City’s leaders at the back, has been out. Josko Gvardiol, another crucial defender, has also been sidelined. Without them, City’s defence has looked unstable. Mistakes have crept in. Confidence has dropped.

That is why the arrival of Marc Guehi feels like a lifeline. Signed from Crystal Palace, the England international brings experience, calmness, and leadership. Guardiola was quick to praise him. He spoke about Guehi’s exceptional experience and how important it is, especially with so many central defenders unavailable. For Pep, Guehi is not just a new signing. He is a solution. He is balance. He is stability.

Guehi is expected to make his debut against Wolves, and fans are already excited. Some see him as the missing piece. Others see him as a short-term fix. But Guardiola sees value. He believes Guehi will help immediately, not just with defending, but with organisation and communication. In a team that has recently lost its defensive structure, those qualities matter more than ever.

Injuries have not only affected defence. City have also missed Nico Gonzalez, who remains sidelined. The list of absentees has forced Guardiola to shuffle his squad constantly, changing partnerships and roles. This has disrupted rhythm and understanding. However, there is some good news. Matheus Nunes could return after missing the last two games with a virus. His availability would give Guardiola more options in midfield, a department where City usually dominate games.

Despite all these challenges, Guardiola refused to lower expectations. Instead, he raised them. By calling Arsenal the best team in the world, he placed pressure on them. He also set a target for his own players. The message was simple. If you want to win, you must chase the best. You must improve. You must be brave.

Arsenal’s rise has not happened by accident. They have been consistent, disciplined, and ruthless. They have learned from past mistakes and grown stronger. Guardiola acknowledged this. He did not hide it. He spoke about their performances across competitions. Premier League. Champions League. Domestic cups. Arsenal have delivered everywhere. For Pep, that consistency is what makes them the best right now.

But Guardiola also believes football can change quickly. A seven-point gap can disappear. One injury. One bad run. One mistake. Pressure can turn confidence into fear. Pep has seen it before. He has been on both sides of it. That is why he remains calm. That is why he believes.

Manchester City have built a reputation under Guardiola for responding when doubted. Time and time again, they have bounced back stronger. Seasons where they were written off have ended with trophies. Moments of crisis have produced greatness. Guardiola is counting on that mentality again.

He knows the road will not be easy. Arsenal will not slow down willingly. Other teams will also fight. The schedule is brutal. Injuries are unpredictable. But Pep trusts his squad. He trusts their mentality. He trusts their hunger.

For City fans, Guardiola’s words were both honest and reassuring. Honest because he admitted Arsenal are ahead. Reassuring because he did not sound defeated. Instead, he sounded motivated. Focused. Ready for the fight.

The Wolves game now takes on huge importance. It is not just about three points. It is about response. About character. About proving that Manchester City are still alive in this title race. Marc Guehi’s debut adds another storyline. A new face in a critical moment. A chance to steady the ship.

Guardiola knows every match from now on feels like a final. There is little room for error. But pressure is something he thrives on. He believes his players do too. He believes that when everything is on the line, his team will show who they really are.

Arsenal may be leading. Arsenal may be flying. Arsenal may be the best team in the world right now. But Manchester City are chasing them. And under Pep Guardiola, being the hunter has always been their most dangerous role.