City boss says current performance levels will “not be enough” to beat Arsenal to the title
Pep Guardiola has warned his players that their performances need to improve if they are to pip Arsenal to the Premier League title this season.
City’s 3-0 win over West Ham United at the Etihad, sealed by two goals from Erling Haaland and another from Tijjani Reijnders, extended their winning run in the league to eight games and briefly lifted them above their rivals on Saturday, before Arsenal narrowly overcame Everton to reclaim top spot.
Guardiola was happy to get the win but felt that his side must raise their standards even higher.
“I said to the players, ‘Merry Christmas but it will not be enough if you will not improve’,” Guardiola said. “It’s good to be there, but I’m telling you we have to improve our game.”
City led from the fifth minute and eventually scored two goals in the second half to seal a victory over a West Ham side that struggled to muster any sort of an attacking threat. Despite the comfortable scoreline, Guardiola felt City were not at their best on the ball and did not create as many clear chances as they should have.
“I’m so happy, we are in good position and close to the top of the league,” Guardiola said. “But what will define the team is how we improve. Today was clear we were not in the right spots and we have to improve.
“The way we played with the ball we have to improve. Otherwise it will not be enough to arrive in March, April, to be a contender to win the title.”
The City manager said his squad were much improved compared to last season, when they lost seven out of nine games in the run up to Christmas to fall out of the title race. City eventually ended the season trophyless, the first time since Guardiola’s debut season.
“Spirit is there,” Guardiola said. “Didn’t have that last season, the spirit, the aggression and the hunger. It comes from inside.”
