Man City starts 2026 stuck, falling 4 points behind Arsenal in the Premier League

Man City kicked off 2026 with a 0-0 draw at the Stadium of Light, preserving their unbeaten streak but allowing Arsenal to increase their lead to four points in the Premier League table.

The away trip to Sunderland was expected to be challenging, and the reality confirmed it. The home team entered the match unbeaten at home this season, energized by a disciplined and energetic squad. Despite this, Manchester City chose to start aggressively, pushing forward early to gain an advantage.

In the fifth minute, it seemed Man City had taken the lead when Erling Haaland headed the ball from a corner for Bernardo Silva to finish into the net. However, the visitors’ joy was quickly cut short as VAR ruled Silva offside by a narrow margin. This was one of the few exciting moments in the first half, as both sides then played cautiously, prioritizing safety over risk.

Sunderland was not as inferior as many expected. They applied moderate pressing, maintained good team shape, and were ready to launch counterattacks that kept Man City’s defense alert. Meanwhile, the visitors’ attacking moves lacked the sharpness needed to make a difference in front of goal.

A key turning point came early in the second half when Rodri made his official return, his first appearance since a brief substitute role in early November. The Spanish midfielder’s presence improved Man City’s midfield control and made their attacks more coherent. The clearest chance came from a quick exchange between Cherki and Savinho, but the final shot sailed over the crossbar.

Man City gradually increased pressure as the match progressed. Josko Gvardiol, Jeremy Doku, and Phil Foden all came close to scoring, but Sunderland’s goalkeeper Robin Roefs had an outstanding game. The home defense also stood firm, blocking shots and covering for each other inside the penalty area.

In the closing minutes, Man City almost committed their entire squad to the opponent’s half. However, in a match typical of the Premier League’s toughness, where resilience sometimes outweighs skill, Sunderland held firm to secure a valuable point.

This 0-0 draw marked the first time Man City failed to score in the 2025/26 season across all competitions. More importantly, it caused Pep Guardiola’s side to miss the chance to reduce the gap with league leaders Arsenal, while also seeing their direct rivals extend the advantage to four points. In a championship race growing increasingly intense, every slip like this carries great significance for the journey ahead.