Pep Guardiola feels Man City getting close to best form

Pep Guardiola believes his Manchester City side are “close” to their best as they aim to chase down Premier League leaders Arsenal.

Last week’s disappointing 1-0 loss away to Aston Villa ended a nine-game unbeaten run in all competitions and left City six points behind the Gunners going into the weekend, when City host Bournemouth on Sunday afternoon.

City have been playing catch-up since losing back-to-back games to Tottenham and Brighton in August, but Guardiola insists he retains the optimism he had about his team during the summer.

“Still we are not at our best, but we are close,” Guardiola said. “I said a month ago, that I had the smell that these words would be completely devastating if you don’t get results.

“I know that but I had the feeling when I see the team, when I see in the dressing room, in the trainings, and how we apply, how we want to try to do things.

“I had the feeling that when I think Rodri can come at his best – he will not be soon at his best but he can help us – and alongside all the alternatives I can have, we will be a team that will be difficult for the opponents to beat us, and this is what I want.

“Will we be there still close to the fight? I don’t know, but I said from the beginning, since the (Club) World Cup in the States, I’m really, really optimistic about the team going into this season.”

Guardiola’s assistant Kolo Toure will be back on the City bench on Sunday, having missed the midweek Carabao Cup win over Swansea following the death of his father.

Toure stepped up to first-team duties from the under-18s squad in the summer as part of a new backroom staff for Guardiola, which also included the arrival of former Liverpool assistant Pep Lijnders.

“I have been so lucky in my career as a manager,” Guardiola said of his assistants. “I’ve been incredibly happy to work with all of them. Not me, but Manchester City have Pep Lijnders and Kolo and James (French) for set-pieces, the new people came and it is a joy to work with them.

“I’m so happy and I am learning a lot. Always I try to have people who can add something to my knowledge as a manager and I have it. We discuss a lot how we can do things. That is so nice.

“Football is not just played, but talked (about) as well, how we can help the team. I feel protected, I feel embraced by all of them and that is the only thing I can ask for.”