Pep Guardiola sent Arsenal a warning shot after another victory at the weekend, and the evidence proved he has every right to be bullish.
His side convincingly overcame a tricky test at Crystal Palace by showing their title credentials with a convincing 3-0 victory.
After the game, the Spaniard agreed with Erling Haaland that his side are getting even better.
He said: “I have the feeling that we are getting better. You believe that the past was always perfect when you look back at all the titles and the 100 points.
“But for the amount of things we achieved, we had a lot of games like today, and the resilience was part of that.”
Why Arsenal need to be worried
Manchester City’s poor campaign last season, in which they finished 13 points behind Liverpool, meant an improvement was imperative.
Their 71 points tally was also their worst since the 2015/16 campaign during Manuel Pellegrini’s final season in charge.
Guardiola has reenergised his side, and with five consecutive victories, they head into the crucial festive period in imperious form.
In comparison to the same fixtures last season, they sit 12 points better off.
For example, they drew 2-2 with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park last season, meaning they gained an extra two points this time around.
They also beat Liverpool 3-0 at home this season, in comparison to a 2-0 defeat at the Etihad during the 2024/25 campaign.
Victories at Brentford, at home to Manchester United and Everton, and a point away at Arsenal are all improved results this time around.
The Manchester city revenge tour is looking beautiful !! pic.twitter.com/tEJ3cHYnX6
— ⚡️🇧🇼 (@Priceless_MCI) December 14, 2025
Which other teams have improved?
David Moyes’ Everton are the second-most improved side compared to last season and sit nine points better off.
Crystal Palace are seven points better off, while Arsenal and Manchester United have a six-point advantage in comparison to last season.
Bournemouth and Fulham have also seen narrow increases.
Which teams have regressed?
Unsurprisingly, Wolves have shown the most regression, and they are now 16 points worse off compared to 12 months ago.
Despite a spirited display at Arsenal on Saturday, in which they were undone by a last-minute own goal, Rob Edwards’ side are plummeting towards the Championship.
After five consecutive defeats, Edwards is already under pressure.
They have just two points, and there’s every possibility they could pick up the unwanted record of the lowest points tally in Premier League history.
During the 2007/08 campaign, Derby ended the season with just 11 points. After 16 games of the campaign, they had six points.
Nottingham Forest are 11 points worse off, Liverpool are in a 10-point deficit, and Brentford are eight points behind last season’s tally.
Newcastle, Chelsea and Brighton have also regressed.
