Pep Guardiola: 'Competition for places is key for Manchester City'

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has challenged his players to use the competition for places at the club as motivation to raise their own levels of performance.

City began their title defence with a 2-0 victory over Arsenal this afternoon, strolling to all three points at the Emirates despite starting without the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva, Gabriel Jesus, Nicolas Otamendi, Leroy Sane and Vincent Kompany.

Bernardo Silva - who was behind Sane and Raheem Sterling in the pecking order last season - was amongst the scorers in North London, and Guardiola vowed that there would be more rotation throughout the campaign.

"They have to feel and be at a high level, and know the teammates will be in their position," Guardiola told reporters regarding the team's strength in depth.

"Everyone is going to play a lot of minutes and, in every moment, they have to be ready."

City will continue their Premier League title defence at home to Huddersfield Town next Sunday.