We are in a good vibe – Pep ahead of Arsenal clash | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola says he’s very happy with the attitude and application of his team heading into this weekend’s clash with Arsenal.

Guardiola has seen his side produce two impressive performances to beat Manchester United 3-0 in the Premier League and Napoli 2-0 in the Champions League.

Next up on Sunday are the Gunners who have emerged as one of our chief rivals for honours in the last few years under former assistant coach Mikel Arteta.

The exciting 16:30 (UK) encounter will undoubtedly receive plenty of pomp and circumstance ahead of kick-off and City will be battling hard to claim three points at the Emirates.

But just as important for Guardiola is the behaviour of his team as he looks for them to recapture the kind of form that made us unstoppable in the era of Centurions, Fourmidables, Treble Winners, Club World Cup champions and History Makers as we emerged with a record four Premier League titles in a row.

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“I know when my team is consistent because when you win six Premier Leagues you have been a machine, a consistent team and for that they have to prove more,” he said.

“But of course we arrive the week against United, Napoli and now Arsenal, I would say it’s not an easy week but in the Premier League, always it’s like that.

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“What’s important is the feeling, the vibe of the team, the body language especially I am focused on that.

“The body language of the team has grown up. I'm pretty pleased for that.

“Win or lose, always we try. But when you see the team is in a good vibe that’s what you have to do.”

City’s last visit to Arsenal was one to forget as were beaten 5-1.

Martin Odegaard opened the scoring early doors before Erling Haaland levelled matters after the break.

But in the last half an hour of the contest, the Gunners scored four times through Thomas Partey, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Kai Havertz and Ethan Nwaneri.

Guardiola wants to see his team compete far better in the capital this time around.

“The last 15-20 minutes was a disaster,” he continued.

“We forgot to do what we have to do. After that, for Arsenal it was easy for them.

“Hopefully this season we can make more of a challenge because Mikel is an extraordinary manager.

“They increase the squad in four or five transfer windows, it is an unbelievable squad and unbelievable team. It is one of the toughest opponents you can find right now in Europe.

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“Step by step, window by window, Arsenal is getting better. Last season in Europe they make an incredible step forward. For me it is the most solid team, they don’t make mistakes, it’s an incredibly solid team.

“They have pace up front. They have set pieces with Nico [Jover], who was here, in every department we know it. I know the quality they have.

“We'll see what we have to do and how players are fit and we try to complete and be a better team than last season, especially in the last 20, 25 minutes.”

Games between City and Arsenal are always high profile and it’s undoubtedly a boost to get the better of your rivals when you play them.

But the manager stressed it was too early in the season for the match to be of the absolute utmost significance in the fight for honours.

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“Listen. It's the fifth game of the season. Come on,” he added.

“Sir Alex Ferguson, when I arrived here said to Brian Kidd said after Boxing Day that you have to stay close to the top four. After that you can think about it.

“Last season after Boxing Day, we were in another country. We will see what happens. “From experience in the six Premier Leagues, in four or five in December or January we were behind Liverpool or Arsenal and in the end we won it.

“Seeing the team growing up, that is my only concern right now, making a step forward. “We are not going to win the Premier League on Sunday and we are not going to lose the Premier League on Sunday.

“We will see the team that we are better than we were last season there and continue to be better many little things these last two games and continue with that.”