Man City players give Pep Guardiola the Arsenal response he wanted

It was only a couple of weeks ago that Pep Guardiola was wondering aloud about how his Manchester City players could stay motivated.

The Blues boss floated the idea before their trip to Arsenal that perhaps it would be better for them if they had to chase in the Premier League rather than lead, and repeated that suggestion after defeat at the Emirates saw them leapfrogged in the table. At the weekend, Guardiola admitted that the Treble had taken a toll on everyone as the squad and staff look to start again with fresh desire to challenge for the biggest trophies.

In Bern on Wednesday night, on an artificial pitch as the rain hammered down for the duration of a Champions League game, the manager saw something he loved in his team. It wasn't a perfect performance, yet it showed the commitment to Guardiola that his players are up for this season.

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There were plenty of positives to take from the game ahead of the derby, with Erling Haaland scoring twice and Jack Grealish giving his best performance of the season so far. These steps forward could only be taken because the players went into the game with the right attitude.

Getting hyped about Arsenal or United away is not difficult, but giving as much intensity for a game that seems to have a much lower profile is what has given City so much success under Guardiola. By not underestimating any opponent or throwing any game, they do not risk losing focus even when seven changes are made in the lineup.

That formula has brought unprecedented success to the club, and that is why Guardiola was so delighted with what he saw. Having walked the