2 months ago
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Manchester City midfielder Tijjani Reijnders spoke about squad expectations after their 1-1 draw with Arsenal at the Emirates
Tijjani Reijnders believes Manchester City can challenge for the Premier League and Champions League trophies this season after coming close to a big win at Arsenal.
Despite more than two days fewer to prepare for the game than their opponents, City struck early at the Emirates as Reijnders carried the ball up the pitch in a counter-attack before releasing Erling Haaland to finish coolly past David Raya. It looked like being enough for a huge three points in the early stages of the Premier League season, only for Arsenal substitute Gabriel Martinelli to score in injury time and finally break City's resistance.
An ecstatic Arsenal celebrated their breakthrough, but there was pride at the end of the game from the City ranks at the improvement from the 5-1 mauling they suffered here last season. Just four of the starting XI on that day in January were picked by Pep Guardiola on Sunday and as one of the new boys Reijnders is feeling confident after three big results, with the Arsenal draw following wins over Manchester United in the Premier League and Napoli in the Champions League.
Asked if the performance signalled the Blues could compete with the best in the league, Reijnders replied: "Yeah, for sure. That's our goal - to play for titles.
"It was a tough week and in the end we did well this week and now we have to keep coming for the next couple of weeks that are coming.
"Everyone knows this game has something more and today we wanted to show who was the strongest and go away with the three points. It was a well-fought battle and we can keep going from this."
As much as City celebrated their performance, the players were still left disappointed with the result. It was more of a defensive display than anyone is used to seeing from a Guardiola team but the squad were happy with the effort and the new side to their game that they showed - particularly considering the result in North London last season.
Nevertheless, Martinelli's equaliser means City have already dropped eight points from their opening five games and are seven behind champions and leaders Liverpool. As many positives as they can take from the last week, they know they have to start taking more points.
"We always want to have more ball possession but this game had to be like this," said Reijnders. "We did pretty well defending, didn't give away many chances.
"We're a bit disappointed because we conceded the late equaliser. We fought very well as a team so we're disappointed to go home with one point."
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