Pep Guardiola hails Man City's record start, laments finishing against Arsenal

Manchester City picked up their ninth Premier League win on the trot with yet another dynamic performance. Pep Guardiola credits Manchester City's mental fortitude to outlast Arsenal after their difficult UCL trip midweek.

MANCHESTER -- Pep Guardiola says he can't remember a better start to the season as a manager, but warned Manchester City still have a long way to go before they can think about the winning the title.

City beat Arsenal 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium to claim the best-ever start to a Premier League season with 31 points and a goal difference of plus-31.

Guardiola won the league title three times each during his period as coach at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, but even he can't recall as good a start as he has had this season with City.

"It is obvious we score a lot of goals," he told a news conference. "I can't remember if I started that well in any of my previous teams.

"We could have scored five or six today. We just needed to be more clinical."

City moved 12 points clear of Arsenal with the victory, and Guardiola says they have made a big improvement in games against their title rivals after also winning against Chelsea and Liverpool.

Manchester City continued their unbeaten start to the Premier League season.

"Last season we were only able to win twice against the big teams -- at Old Trafford against United and here against Arsenal," he added.

"If you want to win the Premier League against Liverpool, United, Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea, you have to win, especially at home because they will be so tough away.

"If we continue in that rhythm, it will help to win more games. If you are stable and not thinking stupid things, it helps to win more. Our position is good going into our next two games away."

Kevin De Bruyne opened the scoring and Sergio Aguero added the second from the spot after Raheem Sterling was pushed down by Nacho Monreal.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was not happy with the decision nor with the third goal from Gabriel Jesus, with David Silva appearing to be offside in the build-up.

"The penalty is similar to what happens in the first half. If you push someone from behind, it's too obvious. It's two times," De Bruyne said.

"After one time you need to be careful as a defender. Because it was a second time, maybe he gives it. I don't know if it is a clear foul or not, but if it is a foul you have to give it."

"The third goal came at a great time for us. A few times I thought we should have scored the second in the first half. We kept our composure and in the end we killed the game off. It's a great win for us as well."

Jonathan is ESPN FC's Manchester City correspondent. Follow him on Twitter: @jonnysmiffy.

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Source: espn.co.uk