Two wins down with a tough test to come for Manchester City | OneFootball

Heading into last Sunday’s Manchester derby, Manchester City faced the prospect of playing Manchester United, Napoli and Arsenal off the back of consecutive defeats to Tottenham and Brighton. Pep Guardiola’s side wasn’t in the best form heading into three testing fixtures. After comfortable wins over Manchester United and Napoli, Manchester City has overcome two of those three obstacles. They now face a tough test against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. But they now look ready to tackle that challenge head-on based on their past two performances.

Manchester City have begun to show signs that they’re getting back to their best.

It is still too early to say that Pep Guardiola’s side is back to their best. But what can be said is that over the past two matches against Manchester United and Napoli, City are starting to put the building blocks in place to resemble a Pep Guardiola side. Defensively, they have been solid in their past two matches. The errors that proved so costly against Tottenham and Brighton have been cut out. Also, the presence of Gianluigi Donnarumma has lifted those around him.

In midfield, especially against Napoli, Pep Guardiola’s side have begun to find their rhythm. The additions of Rodri and Phil Foden have made a significant difference to Manchester City’s play. Foden has been superb in City’s past two matches. The England international looks to be back to his best, and his team is an infinitely more dangerous proposition with Foden firing. Rodri wasn’t at his best against Manchester United. But last night, he dictated the midfield battle against a Napoli side that was reduced to ten men. That performance should do his confidence the world of good.

Up front, Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Foden have begun to form a dangerous combination. That has been more than pleasing to watch unfold. Haaland has taken his chances, which is the job he does better than anyone else. Doku and Foden have chimed in with goals, and their creativity has stood out. All told, it seems that Manchester City are beginning to show signs that they are coming together as a team.

A tough test against Arsenal awaits Pep Guardiola’s side.

Speaking on with Football on TNT, Pep Guardiola was delighted with his team’s past two performances. He said his team will head to London to take on Arsenal in a good place. Speaking on his team, he said: “The team, in the last two games, has taken another feeling; composure defensively and offensively, our body language is unbelievably good. I’m very pleased. Going there [Arsenal] with these feelings is much better!”

Pep Guardiola’s statement is correct. You can see the difference in Manchester City’s play and the vibe amongst the players over the last two matches. They will carry the confidence they’ve gained into Sunday’s Premier League fixture against Arsenal. Mikel Arteta’s side will pose a tough test for Manchester City. They are one of the favourites for the Premier League title, and after a busy summer, they look to have a better squad than last season. But City will head to the Emirates Stadium full of confidence. That isn’t in doubt after Manchester City’s past two victories and how they have come.

Ahead of Sunday’s match, Rodri said that Manchester City will be going to the Emirates Stadium to win. In quotes relayed by Arsenal Insider, City’s midfield general said: “Yeah, we’re going with the mentality to win there. I don’t care what happened last season. We have the level to go there and show again our best shape.”

“We know they’re an unbelievable team, they reform the team every year with incredible signings, and every day they are better and better, like every team.”

“It is the beginning of the season, but it will be a good message if we go and win in their home.”

Manchester City face a tough test against Arsenal on Sunday. They’ll head into that game full of confidence after their past two victories. Their wins against Manchester United and Napoli have seen Pep Guardiola’s side knock off two of the three testing fixtures off of their list. Now Arsenal awaits. Rest assured, City will be going to the Emirates Stadium to win, and they look capable of doing just that.