Pep Guardiola believes there is still room for improvement in his Manchester City side despite the champions kicking off their Premier League defence with a 2-0 win away to Arsenal on Sunday.
Goals from Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva handed City all three points at the Emirates Stadium just hours after Liverpool, who have been tipped to challenge City for the top-flight crown following heavy recruitment this summer, thrashed West Ham 4-0.
Guardiola’s side recorded a record points tally of 100 on their way to lifting the Premier League trophy last season, and the Spaniard believes his team has what it takes to play and do even better this term.
Speaking to reporters following City’s 2-0 win over Arsenal, Guardiola said:
“I am pleased. I am, I am very pleased. We did not have a lot of training sessions.
“Of course we know each other better after being together together for two years. We had to improve our movement after Chelsea, but the desire to run and run and run… it was the same as last season.
“Away at Arsenal, no one can deny it is complicated. A new manager after 20 years. Owners who support the project. So to win the way we won is more than pleasing, a big compliment to our team again.”
When then asked if his team were as hungry, or hungrier, than last season, Guardiola replied:
“Well, it’s a good question but not one that needs an answer.
“If I ask the players, they’ll tell me yes. They show me on the green colour whether they are hungry or not. That’s where I discover if they are hungry or not, and we are still there from what I’ve seen in training and against Chelsea.
“We are not going to judge what will happen, but we try to be what we were, what we are. If we are beaten, maybe we’ll deserve it. This team scored five goals against PSG and had a good pre-season. So to come here against Unai Emery in his first game is so important.”
He added on how much more better his side can get this season:
“I said many times, of course our average level is high. The players have commitment and we are starting to see things happening in the second season, things that started in the first.