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Manchester City have won their last seven games in all competitions and midfielder Tijjani Reijnders believes Pep Guardiola's side are finding their groove as they battle Arsenal for the Premier League title
Tijjani Reijnders believes familiarity can breed success as Manchester City kept the pressure on Arsenal in what is becoming an enthralling Premier League title race.
City eased past West Ham 3-0 at the Etihad on Saturday to move top of the table ahead of the Gunners' trip to Everton. Mikel Arteta's side responded by beating the Toffees 1-0 to re-establish a two point advantage at the top heading into Christmas.
This might be a new-look City but the Blues under Pep Guardiola are course and distance specialists having won six of the last nine Premier Leagues, including twice successfully chasing down Arsenal. The Gunners, meanwhile, haven't won the title in more than 20 years.
City's imperious recent form has been fuelled by a consistent selection and Reijnders believes the increased familiarity among a squad featuring a host of 2025 signings is playing its part in the stellar run of results, with the midfielder confident there is more to come.
"If you compare us at the beginning of the season to now then it is a big difference already," he said. "And that is a good thing how we grow as a team and we have to keep doing that.
"How we show ourselves and each other in the game, it is looking very good and we have to keep going like that.
"It's a good win right before Christmas and now being at the top of the league for a couple of hours and putting more pressure on Arsenal."
Reijnders was among the scorers against West Ham, expertly finishing a lovely bit of intricate play between himself, Rayan Cherki and Erling Haaland. It was the Dutchman's first goal at the Etihad since his summer arrival and while Haaland netted the other two City goals, others are now beginning to find the net with more regularity.
Phil Foden has six goals in his last seven games while Rayan Cherki scored in the midweek win over Brentford in the Carabao Cup. And Reijnders believes goals from the creative players will be crucial if City are to win trophies this term.
"It is important," he said. "Erling helps us a lot with all his goals and now we are coming in there as well and that is a good thing. Everyone is very eager to score a goal and looking for those kind of chances and it's a good thing.
"Quite a lot of times I was pretty close and I am always looking for an assist or a goal and today was finally the day that I could do it for the fans. It is a nice feeling to score my first goal at the Etihad and hopefully more will come."
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