Pep Guardiola Backed to Deliver Major Silverware Before Mikel Arteta as City Close In on Their Best

City Back in the Title Race and Guardiola Backed for More Silverware

After a turbulent 2024–25 campaign that left many wondering whether Manchester City’s era of dominance had finally peaked, Pep Guardiola is once again being backed to deliver major silverware — and to do it before Mikel Arteta manages to bring a title to Arsenal. What looked like a fading dynasty just a few months ago has suddenly sparked back into life, with City climbing to second in the Premier League table just before the international break. For a club that has set impossibly high standards in recent years, the sense of revival feels both familiar and inevitable.

Last season’s struggles remain fresh in memory. City’s form dipped dramatically from November onward, and they finished 13 points behind eventual champions Liverpool — a staggering gap for a team that had previously made winning the league look routine. The trophyless campaign, capped by an FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace, only intensified questions around whether Guardiola could rebuild once more. But as this season has shown, writing off City is a dangerous game.

With seven wins from their first 11 matches and only a four-point deficit behind league leaders Arsenal, the defending giants seem to have rediscovered their rhythm. Former City and Arsenal striker Paul Dickov believes this renewed energy is no coincidence. In fact, he insists Guardiola’s hunger — and that of his squad — is as fierce as ever.

Pep Backed to Deliver Major Silverware Again

Pep Guardiola

Speaking to Best Betting Bonuses, Dickov didn’t hesitate when asked whether Guardiola would return to winning ways this year. The former striker believes Guardiola’s side are close to “their best levels” and that the sense of drive inside the club has sharpened significantly after last season’s disappointment.

“I don’t think so,” he said when asked whether City would go two seasons without silverware. “I keep saying I don’t want to get too far ahead, or get carried away with the recent performances. But there’s just something within the club and on the pitch that is near the levels they were at when they were at their best. I know for a fact there’s a hunger — not just from Pep, but from the staff, the players.”

According to Dickov, last season’s setbacks have pushed the squad to regroup mentally as much as tactically. “They were hurt last season. They were really hurt,” he explained. “And there’s a big drive within the club to put that right this season.”

He also highlighted that City were more than happy to operate out of the spotlight early in the campaign. But after their strong performance against Liverpool, the feeling inside the club has shifted. Belief has returned. Confidence has resurfaced. And, as history has shown, a confident Manchester City is a serious problem for anyone hoping to take the title off them.

“It wouldn’t surprise me,” Dickov added, “if Manchester City are up there winning things at the end of the season again, because the strength and depth, the quality — it’s up there with the very best.”

Pep Has “Credit in the Bank” With City Fans

One point Dickov was keen to stress is the respect Guardiola continues to command within the club and among supporters. A single underwhelming season is far from enough to shake the trust built over years of unprecedented success.

“The one thing Pep’s got is a lot of credit in the bank with the City fans,” Dickov said. “One bad season in all the time he’s been here isn’t a bad thing.”

He described City supporters as passionate but perceptive — fans who understand the complexity of rebuilding while staying competitive. As Dickov put it, this is likely Guardiola’s “third rebuild” since taking charge, and patience is still present, even when performances have wavered.

City’s depth is also proving to be one of their strongest assets yet again. Rodri, arguably the most crucial component of Guardiola’s system, is expected to be carefully managed through the next few weeks to ensure he remains fully fit for the second half of the season — the period when City traditionally hit their devastating stride.

Dickov pointed to the bench in the Liverpool match as evidence of the club’s loaded arsenal. Omar Marmoush, Nathan Aké, John Stones, Savinho — all capable of starting for most Premier League sides. Few teams can match this level of rotation without losing quality.

“I think the squad depth and the quality that City have got is as good as anyone in the Premier League,” he said. “So it wouldn’t surprise me if they went on and won silverware again this year.”

Neville: “This Has to Be Arsenal’s Year”

Arteta

But while optimism surrounds City’s resurgence, Gary Neville remains firmly of the belief that the Premier League title should be Arsenal’s to lose.

Speaking after the Gunners’ win over Crystal Palace earlier this season, Neville argued on his podcast that Arsenal have reached a level of consistency that should be enough to carry them to the trophy — without needing to reach the extraordinary points totals seen in previous title races.

“This has got to be them, hasn’t it? This has got to be their year,” Neville said. “This is the fourth season in a row that I’ve predicted them to win the league.”

He believes the mid-80s or high-80s points range will be sufficient to take the title this season — a far cry from the 90-plus campaigns that City and Liverpool produced at their peak.

Arsenal, he says, have built a team that is reliable, defensively resilient, and equipped with multiple goal threats. While they may lack a “sensational” centre-forward, their collective firepower — Martinelli, Trossard, Eze, Madueke — compensates for it. Combine that with a strong defensive core and the commanding presence of Declan Rice, and Neville argues that Arsenal have everything necessary to finally take the step they missed out on last season.

“They don’t need to do anything spectacular,” Neville insisted. “Just keep doing your jobs. Keep doing what you do, and you will win this league. It’s yours to win.”

Two Spaniards, One Title Race

As the season moves closer to its defining months, the Premier League title race is beginning to crystallize around two familiar figures: Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta. Mentor and protégé. Master and apprentice. One rebuilding a dynasty, the other trying to build one of his own.

City’s resurgence suggests Guardiola isn’t done yet. Arsenal’s steady consistency suggests Arteta is closer than ever.

Whether experience or momentum proves decisive remains to be seen — but one thing is certain: this year’s battle between the two Spaniards may be the most compelling chapter yet.