Pep Guardiola agrees with his captains over lingering Man City concern

It feels like a long time ago that Kyle Walker was talking about Manchester City's ambition to blow their Premier League rivals away as early as possible.

The challenge was set at the beginning of the season and made public after City's fourth straight win that saw them head into the October international break as the only team with a 100 per cent record. It was the sort of comment that could point to the ambition in the dressing room, but could also be used against the Blues if they are unable to win a fourth straight title.

That looks more likely now than it did a month ago, even if there is still a long way to go in the season. Six straight victories had everything looking rosy, but consecutive defeats for Pep Guardiola's side have encouraged Arsenal and others that the champions are not invincible.

ALSO READ: Kyle Walker incensed by gesture from Arsenal coach after Man City loss

ALSO READ: Trophies, form and what comes next - rating Man City's season so far

Walker's gauntlet laid down to his teammates wasn't about blowing their rivals away though, rather an attempt to give the squad a fresh challenge. Everyone has asked themselves how to go again after winning the Treble, and putting a new spin on the same competition should be seen in that context.

Guardiola's comments after the Arsenal defeat were different but similar. While the City boss wasn't interested in making too much of a scrappy defeat that could easily have produced another result, he said in a few interviews that perhaps it would be better for his team to be behind to give them a clear target to stay motivated.

City did a remarkable job of powering on in the 2017/18 season despite being peerless from about December, but as the Blues look to avoid