Man City defender names two more title rivals after Arsenal slip - 'Getting closer'

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Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol spoke about the competition at the top of the Premier League table as Arsenal lead the way

Josko Gvardiol says Manchester City have more teams than Arsenal to worry about as they look to reclaim their Premier League crown. Gvardiol won the title in his first year as a City player but could not stop the team slumping last season as Liverpool outclassed everybody.

Anfield is currently in meltdown before Christmas as Arne Slot's side already look out of this season's race, a whopping ten points behind leaders Arsenal already and with more problems to deal with after Mo Salah's extraordinary outburst at the end of their 3-3 draw with Leeds. Arsenal have a two-point lead over City and are comfortably seen as favourites for the title.

City are encouraged though by the weekend, not only their performance in beating Sunderland 3-0 but also Arsenal's defeat at Aston Villa that allowed the gap at the top to be cut. Pep Guardiola accepts Arsenal will not drop many points this season and just wants his side to stay close for as long as possible.

That is something they will work to do, but Gvardiol - who scored the second goal against Sunderland for his second in as many weeks - is clear that they cannot simply think about the Gunners as potential threats. With just over a third of the season gone, at least two other sides have given City reason to be wary.

"First of all they have a good team. It's not just them, it's Aston Villa, Chelsea is good," said Gvardiol. "Sunderland two weeks ago were there at the top. It won't be easy and the season is long. We're not even at the halfway stage. Still a lot of games to play. Two points behind so we are getting closer. We need to build it up like we have for the last two or three months. We will see at the end."

Before City can get too giddy about closing the gap to Arsenal, they know they have more hurdles in their way in the coming weeks. Real Madrid are up next in the Champions League and there are tricky tests coming up away at Palace, Forest and Sunderland to take the Blues up to New Year's Day. Gvardiol knows well that every game could end up being the pivotal one in a title race.

"Right before the warm-up we saw that they conceded in the last minute. Every game is important and we need to win every game," he said. "It's a big three points and now focus on Wednesday. I remember in my first season we were on the top and fighting for the Premier League and you go Fulham away, all the games you need to win. If you lose or drop points that's it."