'This is the time to step up and show their value'

An opening. That's all it can take to often show Manchester City that there remains a chance of claiming the Premier League title when they find themselves in a head-to-head shoot-out during the second-half of a season.

Following City's winless start to the New Year and consecutive draws to Sunderland, Brighton, and Chelsea prior to a drab 2-0 defeat to Manchester United, many would have expected Arsenal to take full advantage and stretch their lead at the summit.

But despite all the talk surrounding the strength of Mikel Arteta's side, they have simply been unable, and perhaps not good enough, to do so. Despite a strong win over Bournemouth away from home to start the year, there have been back-to-back scoreless draws against Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, before their dramatic 3-2 defeat at home to Manchester United.

Could these be the ultimate signs to Manchester City that perhaps this Arsenal side is not so great? Pep Guardiola will not be fooled, and the Catalan will almost certainly continue to attack the business phase of the season with the same ferocity as he has done thus far, treating the Gunners as an immovable force until the very final whistle.

For City, the task remains simple: Keep on winning. They found the narrow edge against a struggling Wolves side themselves on Saturday, and while the performance was far from perfect, it was the three points that they so desperately needed from a mental perspective alone.

There is a glimmer of hope after the latest matchweek, and the gap at the top standing at just four points to Arsenal. It has hardly been the runaway showing that many expected from the North London club.

But much will be revealed about just how far Guardiola and his vastly rebuilt side can go this season in the next two Premier League matches alone, as they travel to Tottenham and Liverpool on consecutive weekends.

This is the time to step up and show their value.

Find more from Freddie Pye at City Xtra