Manchester City are looking like a team in the mood after a winter window where they added two of the best players in the Premier League in Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi to the ranks in a bid to secure the league title.

After an underwhelming season last time, the Mancunian still managed to secure a third-place finish, but no real improvement was shown in the first-half of the season, even after the addition of top players like Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders.

They also awaited the return of Rodri from a long-term injury, but that didn't bring them the expected joy, and with Arsenal turning out to be the favourite for the league title, Pep Guardiola's team made a statement in the summer, and that was that they ain't just here to compete.

It has become a tradition in the Premier League that a potential winner must tick all the boxes. In recent seasons, maybe only Liverpool last season at it easy, with just 84 points, which was enough thanks to the misfortunes suffered by their rivals.

For Manchester City, who have never gone back-to-back seasons without a league success since winning their first under their Spanish manager, protecting this reputation can not be left to chance, and something out of the ordinary had to be done.

Man City wants the title, and they've spent on it

During the summer window, the Cityzens snapped up two of the best players in the division, Marc Guehi and Antoine Semenyo, beating their closest rivals to complete the deal for the duo.

Marc Guehi was on the verge of signing for Liverpool during the summer window, before the deal fell through on deadline day, but the Reds never gave up until the England center-back option for a move to City in January.

Liverpool is also one of the several top English teams courting Semenyo, but the Ghanaian chose to join Manchester City as he wants to win titles and he 'wants to do so this year'.

Pep Guardiola may be bidding farewell to the club at the end of the season even though his contract ends in 2027, but that will all depend on what happens at the end of the season in May, so desperation is not far-fetched from their actions.

After the win over Fulham, which takes them three points away from the league leaders Arsenal, who play Brentford later on Thursday, a couple of City players, in their interview, said they are going to be watching the Arsenal game, but these aren't mere statements. They carry motives.

They are all mind games, and if anyone is to beat Manchester City, which has been there and won more than just a couple of times, you'll also have to fight the psychological aspect of the battle, especially when playing after the Etihad landlords.

This is the Premier League standard 

Pep Guardiola and Manchester City are responsible for helping to keep up the standard that has been set in the Premier League, and anyone to be crowned champions must uphold it.

Fortunately for Arne Slot and Liverpool, they escaped it last season, but for Arsenal, who have assumed pole position to become champions, they have much more to do to achieve their objectives come May.

Currently on 56 points with 13 games left to play, the maximum amount of points Mikel Arteta's team can earn is 95, and that will include beating Manchester City in the Etihad when the two clash in April.

That tally wouldn't even have won them the Premier League title in some of the seasons when City and Liverpool have won it, but if they could at least earn 90 points and avoid a loss to City, then, they would be deserved champions.

City, after overcoming the Anfield test have also increased in their belief to become champions, and looking at the fixtures ahead, the clash between the two at the Etihad would be decisive, especially if both maintain their form until the date.

City's home advantage will be key, but for Arsenal, a win away at Manchester City will cast away any doubts on their title credentials, especially if they arrive at the ground of their rivals with the advantage they currently have.

It is City's title to lose as much as it is Arsenal's and after winning five and drawing one in their last six games across all competitions, it appears Manchester City is finally turning on the screws, which means there's no room for errors for anyone trying to keep up.

Arsenal, in their defence, have so far shown they have the right mentality to defend their lead. Every loss they have suffered this season has been followed wbyan impressive long run of positive results.

Nevertheless, as we approach the business of the season, more nerve is expected to grow, and as it does, advantages sway. Manchester City are not invincible, even though they appear they can go all the way, any team can become vulnerable.

Arsenal will be tested to know if they have learnt their lessons, and it is the same Manchester City, who jas tormented them in the past, denied them after they have come so close to the title, that will be in their way once again.

It remains to be seen whether Arsenal will beat the tide by controlling the situation as Mikel Arteta said, and hold on to their advantage, or if City's turning of the screws will upset their resolve and screw them over.

Manchester City is a force to overcome to be the Premier League champions. Whatever they do to attain their status, signing the best players in the league midway through the campaign, is not unfair, it is a fulfillment of the competitive level the league wants to attain.

A fight to the final day of the season. This is the Premier League standard, and whoever is the rival is season in and out, Manchester City have proven to be the constant opposition, the standard, a force to conquer to become champions.