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Kevin De Bruyne has hinted that Manchester City are still the strongest side in the Premier League by saying: “If football was the best team winning all the time, it would be boring wouldn’t it?”

The Belgian was in scintillating form as Pep Guardiola's team destroyed Arsenal 3-0 at the Emirates.

City have responded to their Manchester derby defeat by scoring seven goals in two games but remain 14 points behind leaders Liverpool in third place.

De Bruyne said: “I think the mentality has been the same since the beginning. Obviously we know we’ve not been at our best this year but it happens.

"At this level the minimum details make the difference and I think every time we lost a game we showed a good reaction, so that shows that the mentality is good.

(Image: Getty Images)

"We know we lost too many points up until now but that’s the way it goes, if football was the best team winning all the time it would be boring wouldn’t it. We know we need to work hard and we try to do that.

“Are City still the best team? Well I think we are one of.

"Obviously we are not in the top position but it doesn’t undermine the qualities that we have, whatever sport you play it’s not the best team who always win but that doesn’t mean that Liverpool aren’t great, but I think we are up there with them but we didn’t perform to our level this year.”

Asked if it is difficult to maintain motivation before the return of the Champions League in February, De Bruyne added: “Well it is never easy because obviously the goal was going for the title, we know that the gap is big but I think you’re a professional playing at this level and you need to perform week in, week out even if you don’t win it.

"We need to try to find the rhythm, there’s two cup competitions to play plus the Champions League so this season.

"Like I said if it was as easy as ‘City are going to win the league’ why would we play it? Everybody works so hard in this business that whoever is on top at the end of the year deserves it because they were the best.”

Guardiola has denied claims he has a get-out clause in his contract next summer but has not always looked like he is enjoying his fourth season in English football.

“Sometimes he is moody, sometimes he’s happy, I guess like everybody,” De Bruyne added.

“Obviously he is going to be a little bit more moody because we are not doing as well as we did the year before, but I think everyone in a job would be the same.

“For the rest it’s the same. When it’s not going well, there are going to be more rumours and people are going to talk more about it. It’s all fine, everything is normal.”