LONDON, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Pep Guardiola has played down suggestions that this season's Premier League title race is already a straight fight between his Manchester City and leader Arsenal.

Arsenal strengthened its grip at the top on Tuesday with an emphatic 4-1 victory over fellow contender Aston Villa, opening up a five-point gap over City. The defeat left Unai Emery's side six points adrift in third place.

City, however, has the chance to reduce the deficit back to two points when it faces Sunderland on Thursday evening.

When asked whether the championship battle was now a two-horse race between City and the Gunners, Guardiola was unconvinced.

"Are you sure?" he replied.

"A few weeks it was just Arsenal, two days ago it was three [teams] in the title race. And now it is just one. We will see."

Liverpool currently sits fourth and faces a daunting task to retain its title, trailing Arsenal by 13 points. ■