Pep Guardiola has criticised the media's treatment of Manchester City's spending.
The Sky Blues are looking to win five consecutive Premier League titles on the bounce as the new season approaches, but will again face stern competition.
Set to do battle with Manchester United in this weekend's FA Community Shield, Guardiola believes City's signings are often lambasted more than their rivals.
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"For many years they [Arsenal and Manchester United] have done it," began Pep when quizzed on whether defensive incomings from their rivals concerns him.
"Many years but it is not news, it is just when City spends money. Of course I am concerned for many years how good they are because every year they are getting better and better."
He added: "You see Arsenal playing at the same level last season.
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"[I] saw the game against Leverkusen, they are on fire. Every year they look more and more difficult. United will be back you know, they have bought players and everyone wants the crown that we have for four years."
City were pushed all the way last season, but have often been criticised for their high-profile spending.
Guardiola's side do have a mundane knack of being able to sell at the perfect moment, however, with Julian Alvarez's rumoured exit another prime example.
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City have only so far recruited Savinho from Troyes with most of their title-winning team from last season staying put.
Crosstown rivals United have recruited Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro, whilst Arsenal have brought in Riccardo Calafiori.
In what is set to be another competitive Premier League campaign, Guardiola spoke about how City could still add further bodies to their ranks this month.
"We will see the chances at the end of the market if a club needs to sell more than now for example so I don’t know," said Guardiola.
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"Coming to the market now and knowing that we make a good transfer in terms of finances with Julián, people are waiting with the red carpet waiting to say come, come here and that is why you have to see what happens."
Topics: Manchester City, Pep Guardiola, Arsenal, Manchester United, Football