Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has delivered a sharp reminder to his squad that their Premier League campaign effectively begins now, insisting that the period after the final international break of the year marks the true start of the title chase.
The City boss, speaking ahead of his side’s weekend trip to Newcastle, stressed that the stop-start rhythm of the opening months—disrupted by international windows in September, October and November—has prevented any real momentum from building.
With no further national-team interruptions scheduled until March, Guardiola believes Man City Premier League title race with Arsenal and Liverpool is entering the normal phase. A phase of the season that will determine his side ability to hunt down league-leaders Arsenal and hold off fellow contenders Liverpool.
“Now we really start the season,” said Guardiola, who takes his team to Newcastle on Saturday.
He added that these next months, marked by a relentless cycle of domestic and European fixtures, will define the Premier League race.
Guardiola described the campaign as having “two parts”: the opening stretch after the summer transfer window closes, and the period that follows the final autumn international break.
For him, the calendar now shifts decisively into its decisive phase.
“There are two parts of the season. When the transfer window is over in the summer and after the international breaks are over.
“Now, the international breaks are done. It will be until March, see each other every three days.”
Despite the challenges posed by injuries, form fluctuations and rotating squads during the initial round of fixtures, Guardiola insisted that Man City Premier League title race with Arsenal and Liverpool will become clear in the coming months.
“Now the real season starts. It’s important to be there and arrive at the end of the season with the feeling we can fight.”
City’s hunger to chase down Arsenal comes after a first portion of the campaign in which they have not always looked as dominant as in previous seasons.
Yet Guardiola’s words signal confidence that his side traditionally grows stronger as the fixture list intensifies.
The four in a row Premier League winners under Guardiola are entering familiar territory: a winter run packed with league matches, Champions League commitments and domestic cup fixtures, all unfolding at their trademark quick tempo.
Historically, this is the period during which City exert their authority, piling up points while rivals often stumble.
With Arsenal currently setting the pace and Liverpool staying within striking distance, Guardiola has sharpened his focus on the importance of maintaining consistency through the festive period and into early spring.
The absence of international breaks for the months ahead offers City the stability and rhythm they thrive on—regular training sessions, settled match preparation and continuity in tactical patterns.
Their upcoming stretch will be played at a frequency Guardiola openly welcomes—“see each other every three days”—suggesting he views routine and repetition as key components of City’s dominance.
His message also serves as a challenge to his squad: from now until March, performances must escalate, and mistakes must shrink.
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Meanwhile, City’s first opponents in this post-break stretch are Newcastle United—an opponent they have historically handled with ease.
Guardiola’s side have dropped points only once in their last 35 league encounters with the Magpies, a record that underlines their dominance in this fixture.
But the circumstances surrounding Newcastle this season add an extra layer of intrigue.
Eddie Howe’s men have found it difficult to handle the twin demands of Premier League football and Champions League involvement, and their domestic form has suffered as a result.
City’s trip to St James’ Park comes at a moment when Newcastle are searching for consistency.
Injuries, tactical reshuffling and the occasional fatigue from midweek European nights have all contributed to their stuttering league record.
Howe’s team have managed just three wins from their first 11 Premier League matches, leaving them firmly in the middle of the table and well below the high expectations set last season.
