Pep Guardiola plays down title talk as Man City look to close gap on Arsenal

City have moved to within five points of leaders Arsenal after the Gunners dropped points in draws against Wolves and Brentford. With a game in hand and a crucial meeting with Mikel Arteta's side to come in April, City know winning their remaining fixtures would secure a fifth title in six seasons.

But Guardiola says any talk of permutations is premature.

"I didn't talk about the table, or our position. I could not care less," he said. "If you ask me this question with two or three games left, I will have your answer. It's 12 games left - it's an eternity.

"I didn't speak one second about that with my players. Yesterday, the day before, just Newcastle, Newcastle, Newcastle."

City host Newcastle on Saturday knowing victory could trim the deficit to two points before Arsenal face Tottenham in the north London derby. Yet Guardiola refused to be drawn on whether momentum has shifted.

"Many things are going to happen until the end of the season," he said. "When everyone has played the same number of games, then we will see."

Despite his wealth of experience - six league titles in a decade at City - Guardiola played down the value of past triumphs in the current run-in.

"Seventy per cent of the players are new, so they don't have the experience to live these kinds of situations," he said. "Experience is to win tomorrow. It is only one."

City head into the weekend refreshed after a rare midweek break, which Guardiola admitted was needed following a demanding schedule.

"The important thing is the players are revitalised," he said. "We've had a lot of months with few days off. The players have trained well the last two days."

Erling Haaland is expected to return to the squad, while Savinho is fit again after a thigh injury. Jeremy Doku, however, remains sidelined.

Guardiola also addressed the broader issue of racism following allegations made during a Champions League tie between Benfica and Real Madrid, when Vinicius Junior claimed he was abused.

"There is a lot of work still to do. It is in society, not just in football. Racism is everywhere," Guardiola said. "You pretend racism is just for the colour of the skin? How you behave is racism. It's how you think you are better than the other one for many reasons."

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