Pep Guardiola questioned whether or not it was solely a two-horse Premier League title race, however his Manchester Metropolis aspect can ill-afford many slip-ups of their quest to seek out leaders Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta’s Gunners have struck the newest blow on this cat and mouse chase, 4 factors clear on the summit following Metropolis’s irritating goalless draw at Sunderland on Thursday night time.

Metropolis dropped factors because the temperature on the Stadium of Gentle nearly hit freezing on the primary day of 2026.

And Arsenal might want to keep their cool if they’re to say their first top-flight crown in over 20 years.

Metropolis had 67% possession and 14 photographs within the North East, however had been unable to interrupt down a cussed Sunderland defence who claimed a well-earned level.

“Two completely different halves,” mentioned Metropolis captain Bernardo Silva after the sport. “Within the first half we did not play that nicely. We did not management the counter in addition to we should always.

“We attacked a bit too fast – we did not transfer them to search out areas. Second half we had much more possibilities and immediately was a kind of days we could not end them.

“We’re not blissful as a result of we needed higher than this.”

As goalless attracts go, this was an totally entertaining one with each groups having possibilities to say all three factors.

The house followers grew in confidence because the match wore on however Metropolis couldn’t discover the important thing to unlock the defence as Sunderland maintained their spectacular unbeaten document at dwelling this season.

“For those who take a look at Sunderland‘s dwelling document I feel it is a level well-earned,” former Manchester Metropolis defender Steph Houghton mentioned on BBC Match of the Day.

“They [City] will general be disenchanted due to the possibilities they created however should you take a look at the likes of Arsenal and Aston Villa, to go there and get a degree, we’re half approach by means of the season, there’s a lengthy, lengthy method to go.”

Identical to Arsenal in November, Metropolis couldn’t beat the Black Cats.

And Sunderland boss Regis le Bris was understandably delighted by the consequence, saying: “I am having fun with [it]. I feel we confirmed robust character in opposition to most likely the most effective groups in Europe on the minute.

“It was necessary to defend nicely. I feel we had been daring as a result of we tried to be aggressive and excessive up the pitch. I feel we disturbed their routine, possibly their move and it was actually necessary.

“We created a couple of possibilities as nicely, so it was an excellent sport.”