Pep Guardiola reacts after watching Arsenal thrash Bayer Leverkusen

Pep Guardiola believes Premier League title rivals Arsenal are ‘on fire’ ahead of the new campaign as they bid to end Manchester City’s reign as champions.

Mikel Arteta’s side pushed City all the way in last season’s title race, which went down to the final day and saw the top two separated by just two points.

The Gunners have since strengthened their squad with the signing of Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori and also recorded an impressive 4-1 win over German champions Bayer Leverkusen in a recent pre-season friendly.

Asked ahead of the Community Shield against FA Cup winners Manchester United if he was concerned about his side’s potential title rivals, Guardiola said: ‘Of course.

‘I have been concerned for many years (with) how good they are because every year they are getting better.

‘I see Arsenal playing at the same level as last season; I saw their game against Leverkusen. They are on fire. Every year it looks like they are more and more difficult.

‘United will be back, they bought players. Everyone wants the crown we have had for four years, it’s simple as that. It’s how we defend it. We will see.’

City suffered defeats to Celtic, AC Milan and Barcelona – on penalties after a 2-2 draw – before ending their pre-season tour in the United States with a victory over Chelsea, with England midfielder Kalvin Phillips impressing in a new centre-half role.

Phillips could start the Community Shield in the same position and Guardiola said: ‘He is a central midfielder but I said many times Kalvin likes to see all the game in front of him.

‘When he is in the middle surrounded by players he struggles a little bit, but he helped us a lot in the last two games on tour. I should have realised before [he can] play in that position. I think his confidence is back.’

Guardiola has also been impressed by Jack Grealish in pre-season as he bids to put the disappointment of being left out of England’s Euro 2024 squad behind him.

‘What I’ve seen so far, I love it,” Guardiola said. “Every training session, his commitment and his trying. Against Barcelona he had five or six shots and was aggressive with the ball. His quality will do the rest.

‘Hopefully he can sustain it until the end of the season and compete like everyone with one place for the starting XI. That depends on him.’