Unsurprisingly Manchester City are in the Premier League title race, perhaps more surprising it is Arsenal who look to be the Azzurri’s toughest challenger for the league trophy this season.
Before the start of the 18th round of the Premier League on Friday, Pep Guardiola’s side are five points clear of the London side. Manchester City are followed by Newcastle, but the latter played one more match.
Liverpool fully admitted
Despite a strong start to the season, where Erling Braut Haaland has been the big topic of conversation, Guardiola is said to have identified a player in the Manchester City squad he doesn’t trust.
According to The Athletic Guardiola does not fully trust defender Sergio Gómez (22). Lack of confidence has meant that Gómez has not been allowed to start a single Premier League game this season.
He was an unused substitute as Manchester City beat Leeds 3-1 on Wednesday night.
The 22-year-old only arrived from Anderlecht this summer, but after failing to convince Guardiola, his future is potentially uncertain.
DOESN’T TRUST: Pep Guardiola reportedly doesn’t trust defender Sergio Gómez. Photo: Ryan Browne/Shutterstock/NTB
sea View
Other names
Guardiola is said to have made clear to the Manchester City management that he wants a new left-back.
– The Manchester City manager wants more breadth among the team’s defenders, writes The Athletic.
The renowned newspaper names a couple of candidates who will be, or have previously been, relevant for the Premier League title defender.
Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Kieran Tierney (Arsenal), Raphaël Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund) and Rayan Aït-Nouri (Wolverhampton) are all listed as potential signings. A transfer for a new left-back will probably not be relevant when the transfer window opens in January, but only in the summer.
ON THE RADAR: Chelsea full-back Ben Chilwell should be considered for Manchester City. Photo: Toyin Oshodi/ProSports/Shutterstock/NTB
sea View
Delivered – again
Manchester City resumed their Premier League season with three new points as the team beat Leeds 3-1 away, and once again Haaland made his mark on the goalscoring list.
The Norwegian striker scored twice against his father’s old club Alfie Haaland. The 22-year-old has therefore reached a staggering 26 goals in 20 games since joining Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund ahead of the current season.
After the match, manager Guardiola spoke about how he believes he didn’t see Haaland at his best.
– I have a feeling he’s not at his best. It’s a matter of time, Guardiola said.
– He missed opportunities, so I hope he can do better. But the numbers are outstanding and he’s a fantastic threat to us and always in the right position at the right time.”
On New Year’s Eve, Manchester City play Everton at home in the Premier League.
Premier League Standings:
| # | Delay | St | v | u | T | MF extension | MM | Mf | P |
| 1 | Arsenal | 15 | 13 | 1 | 1 | 36 | 12 | 24 | 40 |
| 2 | Manchester City | 15 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 43 | 15 | 28 | 35 |
| 3 | Newcastle United | 16 | 9 | 6 | 1 | 32 | 11 | 21 | 33 |
| 4 | Tottenham Hotspur | 16 | 9 | 3 | 4 | 33 | 23 | 10 | 30 |
| 5 | Manchester United | 15 | 9 | 2 | 4 | 23 | 20 | 3 | 29 |
| 6 | Liverpool | 15 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 31 | 18 | 13 | 25 |
| 7 | Brighton and Hove Albion | 15 | 7 | 3 | 5 | 26 | 20 | 6 | 24 |
| 8 | Chelsea | 15 | 7 | 3 | 5 | 19 | 17 | 2 | 24 |
| 9 | Fulham | 16 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 27 | 26 | 1 | 22 |
| 10 | Brentford | 16 | 4 | 8 | 4 | 25 | 27 | -2 | 20 |
| 11 | Crystal Palace | 15 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 15 | 21 | -6 | 19 |
| 12 | Aston Villa | 16 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 17 | 25 | -8 | 18 |
| 13 | Leicester City | 16 | 5 | 2 | 9 | 25 | 28 | -3 | 17 |
| 14 | Bournemouth | 16 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 18 | 34 | -16 | 16 |
| 15 | Leeds United | 15 | 4 | 3 | 8 | 23 | 29 | -6 | 15 |
| 16 | West Ham United | 16 | 4 | 2 | 10 | 13 | 20 | -7 | 14 |
| 17 | Everton | 16 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 12 | 19 | -7 | 14 |
| 18 | The Wolverhampton Tramps | 16 | 3 | 4 | 9 | 10 | 25 | -15 | 13 |
| 19 | Nottingham Forest | 16 | 3 | 4 | 9 | 11 | 33 | -22 | 13 |
| 20 | Southampton | 16 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 14 | 30 | -16 | 12 |
