Pep Guardiola is refusing to get carried away despite Manchester City's crucial 2-1 victory over Premier League leaders Arsenal on Wednesday night.
While the win at the Etihad Stadium closed the gap to just three points with City holding a game in hand, the Catalan manager immediately tempered any title talk.
"We're not top yet," Guardiola cautioned in his post-match comments. "Our remaining fixtures are going to be so difficult. This is just one step."
The victory, secured through goals from Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland either side of a Bukayo Saka equalizer, represents City's most significant result of their title defense campaign. Yet Guardiola's focus remains firmly on the challenges ahead rather than the psychological blow dealt to their closest rivals.
City now face a demanding run-in that includes matches against several top-half opponents, while Arsenal must regroup quickly with their own difficult fixtures looming. The manager's cautious approach reflects his experience in multiple title races, where premature celebrations have proven costly for many contenders.
"Every game is a final now," Guardiola added. "We cannot afford to look at the table and think we've done enough. Arsenal are still ahead of us, and we must keep fighting."
The result shifts momentum in what has become the Premier League's most compelling title race in years, but according to Guardiola, the real work is just beginning.