Guardiola lauds Blues ahead of difficult month

City back on track after successive 5-0 victories at The Etihad

Pep Guardiola has hailed his players after a comprehensive 5-0 victory against Arsenal at The Etihad.

The Blues suffered a difficult start to the season, losing both the Community Shield and the opening league fixture against Spurs 1-0.

However, back to back 5-0 wins against Norwich and the Gunners have given the manager cause for optimism ahead of the international break.

“We would have preferred to have nine points, but what is important is not what we have done,” Guardiola said.

“OK, we have six points right now from just three fixtures, but we feel these last two weeks have helped us a lot to work again with our basics and our principles.

“And the people day by day and the way that they train in these two or three days, I’m really impressed.

“I said to the players: ‘Continue like this guys.’ I’m not glad with the result, it's the way they behave every single day.

“Now it is non-stop. They go away with the international squads and come back hopefully fit with no injuries.

“And you see the schedule for September. We have to be ready.

“Because what is coming is a tough, tough, tough period for us.”