Pep Guardiola insisted that he "could not care less" about the Premier League title race despite his side being within five points of leaders Arsenal. 

Arsenal spurned the chance to extend their advantage at the summit to seven points after being pegged back late by bottom club Wolves to draw 2-2 at Molineux. 

With one game in hand and a clash with the Gunners to come in April, City know that should they win the remainder of their fixtures, they will win their ninth Premier League crown. 

Mikel Arteta's side are still fancied by the Opta supercomputer, coming out on top in 80% of its season simulations compared to the Citizens' 16.9% probability of lifting the title. 

Guardiola, however, was keen to place full focus on City's upcoming game with Newcastle United, telling reporters on Friday: "I don't know what's going to happen these next 12 games. 

"I didn't speak one second about that with my players. Yesterday, the day before, just Newcastle, Newcastle and Newcastle.

"I didn't talk about the table, I didn't talk about the position. I could not care less. You tell me this question with two games left, three games left, I will have your answer.

"It's 12 games left, it's an eternity. Many things is going to happen is the only truth I have."

City could be just two points behind Arsenal before their north London derby with Tottenham, who are preparing for their first game under new boss Igor Tudor. 

And Guardiola will be confident in getting a result over Newcastle, despite the Magpies storming to a 6-1 win over Qarabag in the first leg of their Champions League play-off. 

That is because City are unbeaten in their last 21 Premier League home games against Newcastle, winning each of the last 16. In English top-flight history, only Everton have had a longer winning home run against an opponent (22 vs Fulham between 1961 and 2018).

In addition, the Citizens have also won their last six Premier League home games against Newcastle without conceding. Only against Stoke City have they had a longer run of consecutive wins to nil (seven between 1982 and 2014) in their top-flight history.

Guardiola, though, continued to be asked about the title race, with it being suggested his team are better equipped given they have Premier League champions in their ranks.

"70% of the players are new, so they don't have this experience. An experience is to win tomorrow, this is the only one," Guardiola said.