Pep Guardiola issues clear title warning to rivals after Manchester City win, says 'we will be there'

Pep Guardiola has admitted that Manchester City are in the title race, while accepting the room for improvement if they are to put up a fight. The Cityzens made the light work of West Ham in a 3-0 victory at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

Pep Guardiola sends warning to rivals

Talking after the game, Guardiola said that if his players take on his message and advice, it would translate into a successful season. When questioned about Manchester City's shot at the Premier League title, the Spanish coach said:

“We will be there. If they follow me, we will be there, but we have to improve. I know the level, but it’s not enough. The spirit, the aggression, the hunger is there. All the attributes they need that is not highlights. Many things, we have to do better.

City were missing some influential players for the game against West Ham, with Rodri and Jeremy Doku among those sidelined. Guardiola added:

“We have to remember that Rodri, Omar, Jeremy, Kova, Rayan Ait-Nouri are not here. We had five players from the Academy on the bench today. I am happy they follow us but if we want to reach the next step, we can find the spaces and we have to be the right spots that define the team.”

Tijjani Reijnders requests Manchester City to keep the pressure on Arsenal in title race

Manchester City midfielder Tijjani Reijnders requested the club to keep Arsenal on their toes after their win against West Ham. The Dutchman produced City's second on either side of an Erlin Haaland brace to continue a seven-game winning streak across all competitions.

Speaking after the game, Rejinders told Sky Sports:

“We had to keep confidence and you want to win every game but with the right confidence and mentality, you can do it. It shows how much quality we have and how much we have grown as a team. It's a good job from us and we have to keep going.

“We have to see. We will keep the pressure on them [Arsenal]. They are above us, not now but before, we have to keep the pressure on. We all have to do that. We have to show each game that we have the quality and play without fear. We did that very well today.”

The goal marked Reijinders' first at the Etihad Stadium and his third for the Cityzens this season.