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Manchester City midfielder Nico Gonzalez is feeling good about his game and the team after a run of unbeaten matches
Manchester City are eyeing the top of the Premier League table as their confidence grows with their unbeaten streak - and positive news on Rodri's injury.
Pep Guardiola's side became the first team to win at Brentford this season as they ground out a 1-0 win in West London to move up to fifth in the table. Having ended the August international break six points off champions Liverpool after just three games, three wins and a draw have closed the gap to Arsenal in first place to three points.
Only an injury-time equaliser from Gabriel Martinelli prevented the Blues from stunning Arsenal at the Emirates last month and they also beat Italian champions and Serie A leaders Napoli in the Champions League as part of a seven-game unbeaten run that has been achieved despite a number of injuries. Holding on to beat Brentford was another important step forward for City having conceded late, game-changing goals at Brighton, Arsenal and Monaco.
They may still be only third choice as title favourites, but City are feeling good about themselves again after a confidence-building run with several stars aiming to return after the international break.
"We struggled [at Brentford] because they're a good team and put a lot of balls in the air and we had to fight so much but that's part of this league and we have to keep improving on these things if we want to win every week and win the league," said midfielder Nico Gonzalez.
"This league is crazy because there are so many teams who perform well and are up there. The level is so high and we have to keep going.
"We have had really good performances. In the last seven, we have won five and the two that we drew were in the last minutes. I think we deserved more in both games but we are happy. We are playing really good and that is the most important thing."
Gonzalez was called into action early at Brentford when Rodri went down holding his hamstring after 20 minutes. The Ballon d'Or winner has sought to play down injury fears, telling reporters after the game that he does not think it is a big issue and is hoping to play in City's game with Everton in two weeks even if he will sit out the international fixtures with Spain.
City teammate Gonzalez wants everyone fit to help the team push further up the league, but is also trying to make the most of the opportunities he gets on the pitch. Guardiola has praised the January signing's willingness to learn in training and matches - the pair have had animated conversations on the pitch at several games recently - and Gonzalez believes he is getting better as he adapts to what the team needs with and without Rodri.
"I feel good. I feel that I'm playing good," he said.
"I'm learning a lot which is really important. As a player you want to win but you have to improve a lot in every aspect of the game. Since I arrived here I have improved so much with the help of all the staff. In this league, every position is hard but we have a really good team with really players.
"Rodri is well. He said it wasn't that hard but we'll see. I hope he's back because he's a really important player in the team and we need him to keep playing like we are."
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