Phil Foden admitted that Manchester City will not lay a glove on Premier League leaders Arsenal unless their performances improve.
The England international’s stoppage-time winner over Leeds United spared City’s blushes on Saturday after Daniel Farke’s side came from two goals down.
Foden claimed that a tactical timeout with Pep Guardiola helped alter the course of the game – even though Leeds equalised minutes later – and that City must recapture encouraging form earlier in the month.
‘It wasn't good enough from start to finish, we know that,’ the 25-year-old said. ‘From that moment we spoke to the manager, we changed the way we pressed and played.
‘It was crucial to get together and find the solution. It felt like we were all on different wavelengths. Some were pressing, some were staying. Even on the ball, we were not in good positions to receive it.
‘We have to work on things and get better because when the opponents get better in the later stages of the season, we can't afford to come out like that because we're going to lose the league.’
Foden’s form has been a major positive at City this season as the midfielder looks to battle back into the England starting XI ahead of next summer’s World Cup.
The academy graduate wants to shoulder more responsibility and believes the brace against Leeds could act as a catalyst for more goals.
‘I've become more mature,’ he added. ‘I think now I'm one of the leaders as well. Maybe not as a captain, but on the pitch. I like to see myself as one of the leaders. Obviously, I've worked with the manager for one of the longest now so I know what he wants and the standards he sets.
‘I have the hunger inside me. I was frustrated after the Newcastle game because I missed a few chances. It was eating me up inside a little bit for the last few days, if I’m honest. I just wanted to put it right. Leeds will give me a lot of confidence. I just want to go again now.’