Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola has said that Arsenal's signings during the summer transfer window have allowed the Gunners to move up a level.
Mikel Arteta's side have brought in three new players during the current market, boosting their squad with the arrivals of Kai Havertz, Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber.
Arsenal continue to work on more signings, although the North London giants will have to trim their large squad before any more players can move to the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners will be looking to get one over on Man City when the two teams lock horns in the Community Shield on Sunday, and Guardiola has put the pressure on the capital outfit by claiming that their summer activity has seen them step up a level.
"Yes, definitely (have Arsenal stepped up a level with their transfer activity). Mikel has brought Arsenal back into the position they were," Guardiola told reporters.
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"There are a lot of teams that are going to fight for everything and the challenge is massive for us.
"You cannot win more than we won - it's impossible. But the challenge is how hungry we are and if we still have the desire to defend what we won.
"We will see during the next 11 months, particularly during the lower moments - and we will have more of them than ever - how we can overcome."
Guardiola also insisted that he was not disappointed to miss out on Rice, with Man City firmly in the hunt for the England international over the summer, but Arsenal ultimately signed him from West Ham United.
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"Absolutely not," said the Man City boss when asked whether he was disappointed to miss out on the midfielder. "Declan Rice rightly decided to go to Arsenal.
"The offer was incredible. All the best because I think he is a really important player. I think he is a very nice guy. For the national team he is, and will be, important. Arsenal bought an incredible player."
Man City have only made one signing this summer, bringing in Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea, but Josko Gvardiol is on the verge of completing a big-money switch from RB Leipzig.
"He is here," said Guardiola when asked about the centre-back. "He is doing medical tests and hopefully we can finish the deal in the next hours."
Man City have only played three friendlies this summer, beating Yokohama F Marinos and Bayern Munich, in addition to suffering a 2-1 defeat to Atletico Madrid last time out.
Matt Law
