Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola was delighted with his players after their thumping win against Arsenal.
Kevin De Bruyne(2), John Stones and the outstanding Erling Haaland struck for City in the 4-1 rout, with Rob Holding finding the net for Arsenal.
Guardiola later said: "We've always had an incredible attacking threat but the connection between Erling Haaland and Kevin de Bruyne is extraordinary. Today we tried to use it as much as possible.
"We are back-to-back Premier League winners, so earlier in the season we say we have time, but for Arsenal it was completely opposite. Every win was a final.
"But two months later, the players know it is necessary to say it is close and we need to win to stay in contention. That mentality where you have no option but to win is the best mentality to play. The players have shown they go into every match trying to win.
"The next three games are really important. Fulham on Sunday, Marco Silva has done a fantastic job, then two games at home against West Ham and Leeds.
"These three games will dictate if we can do what we want to do. The reality is we're still behind Arsenal.
"It will not be easy for us, but it is game by game and we see what happens."
Guardiola said of De Bruyne: "Kevin is always pushing and feeling he can do better. But in this shape, when he moves behind Xhaka or Partey and has more freedom, it's so dangerous for the opponents.
"We won but we didn't play good. We worked a lot in possession here, we were patient and more contact with players up front, they kept the ball."
