Arsenal handed huge Premier League title race boost as Pep Guardiola counting cost of Man City blow

The new year has started perfectly for Arsenal and Mikel Arteta, and they did not even need to take to the field in the Premier League on Thursday, with Manchester City dropping points at Sunderland

Manchester City's failure to beat Sunderland means they are now five points away from Arsenal.

If their 0-0 away draw at the Stadium of Light was not disappointing enough, Pep Guardiola will also have to pore over some new injury setbacks. Nico Gonzalez, who has been operating as Rodri's deputy in the absence of the Spaniard, was taken off and replaced by the Ballon d'Or winner, who was making his return.

Then the in-form Savinho was taken off for Jeremy Doku early in the second half. The two injuries will leave Guardiola leaving anxious, but Gunners fans will be feeling a sense of Schadenfreude.

Against the Black Cats, Guardiola also saw both Erling Haaland and Phil Foden miss presentable chances in the penalty area. They duo have 26 goals between them this season, but neither could beat Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs.

After the match, the City manager said: "It is a mystery, I don’t have the answer to your question. We created a lot against that team, especially in the second half.

"In the first half we struggled because of their pressing, but Rodri gave us the extra pass, the composure to break the lines and after that we could run. Second half was much, much better.”

It was the first time City had drawn in ten matches. Their stalemate saw the Gunners extend their cushion over their Premier League title rivals to four points.

There are still multiple challenges for the north Londoners. Throughout the campaign, Arteta's injury list has been as long as his arm.

While the return of Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz is welcome, there are other areas of the squad which remain depleted. Declan Rice looks set for some more time on the side-lines, while Riccardo Calafiori is a heavy doubt for the upcoming clash against Bournemouth.

Summer signing Cristhian Mosquera is also expected to be absent throughout most of January, while 15-year-old talent Max Dowman will most likely be unavailable for a period of time.

For Arsenal, the heat is about to be turned up. Ahead of them is a run of six vital matches in 17 days.

They travel to Bournemouth on Saturday and play host to Liverpool the following Thursday. A tricky FA Cup away fixture with Portsmouth follows on Sunday 11 January, before they travel to Stamford Bridge for the first leg of their League Cup semi-final fixture against Chelsea.

An away clash with Nottingham Forest will greet them on January 17, before a trip to Italy on January 20 to square up against Inter Milan in the Champions League.