Manchester City Aim To Hold Off Big-Spending Pretenders To Premier League Crown

Manchester City begin the defence of their Premier League title away to newly-promoted Burnley on Friday as Pep Guardiola's men look to hold off an ambitious group of challengers to their crown as English champions. Arsenal and Manchester United have spent big to try and end their long wait for a league title, while Liverpool and Chelsea are expected to bounce back from last season's disappointment. But another transfer window of major investment by English clubs has been overshadowed by the lavish sums luring even some of the Premier League's best talent to Saudi Arabia.

City still the benchmark

City not only won the Premier League for a fourth time in five years last season, but completed a treble of FA Cup and the club's first ever Champions League.

Maintaining his side's hunger is the task awaiting Guardiola, but the Catalan coach is confident City will rise to the challenge of becoming the first side to ever win four consecutive English top-flight titles.

"We have done it in the past, why should we not do it now? What we did belongs in our hearts and minds but while we are here we cannot stop," said Guardiola.

City have lost captain Ilkay Gundogan to Barcelona and Riyad Mahrez to the exodus from Europe to Saudi.

The arrival of Croatian internationals Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic has softened that blow, but the champions have been quiet in the market compared to the chasing pack.

Arsenal were second last season and have splashed out over 200 million pounds ($255 million) on Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber in an attempt to go one better this time.

The Gunners saw an immediate reward by beating City on penalties to win the Community Shield on Sunday and goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale believes victory at