City’s players have been fired up in training, according to Gundogan, as they look to chase down Arsenal at the summit of the Premier League table.
After today’s 1-1 draw with Brentford, Mikel Arteta’s Gunners have moved six points ahead of City in the top-flight table.
But Gundogan stresses there’s resolve to close that gap.
He said: “You can see all of the efforts on the training pitch and everyone is committed to start getting on a winning streak again which we might need to compete for the title.
“It is nothing that we haven’t done in the past. We know we are able to do that.
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“It is just about getting it going again and trying to get on a winning streak again.
“Having that experience in yourself gives you that certain confidence of accepting the situation and how it is right now.”
Going on a run of victories will take consistency, something Gundogan is keen to drive forward.
We’ve won two and lost two in our last four games in the Premier League – victories over Wolves (h) and Tottenham (h) offset by losses to Tottenham (a) and Manchester United (a).
We’ve also won three and lost three in the last six games across all competitions.
Gundogan stresses that struggles are part and parcel of a football season but knows it’s how you react to them that really counts.
He continued: “Of course, you also need to struggle throughout the season.
“It is not always up and up. There will be struggles, there will be ups and downs and you just have to deal with it.
“I think that is quite normal and every year we have won the league, we had these struggles as well. It is about accepting them and dealing with them in the right matters.
“It is possible [to be consistent], but of course the more you win, the harder the opponents and competitors will try to compete.
“Having a team with Arsenal playing that well, United just behind us, the teams are getting better.
“Their hunger is probably as high as it has been in recent years. That is also something you have to deal with.”
Our next assignment is Villa on Sunday, with a 16:30 (UK time) kick-off.
This weekend’s home game with the claret and blues brings back incredibly happy memories for Gundogan.
Last season – on the final day of the 2021/22 campaign – Gundogan scored two goals to help City stage a stunning late comeback and win 3-2 as we clinched the Premier League title.
Gundogan still looks back with pride and delight at that memorable encounter.
He continued: “Obviously it was probably one of the biggest games in our time maybe in our time or our careers.
“Doing that turnaround in just a few minutes and winning the league title in such a dramatic way, it is probably one of the best things that can happen to you as a football player.
“For me personally, having scored two goals in that game, it was an amazing day.”
Aston Villa, under Steven Gerrard, proved to be difficult opponents that May 2022 day – and again as we drew 1-1 in the corresponding fixture between the two teams at Villa Park earlier this season.
Gundogan is expecting more of the same under new boss, Unai Emery, who took over the reins three months into this 2022/23 campaign.
He added: “It will not get easier. They are still a very tough side to play and in the first game we played this season it was a draw so we lost two points there.
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“They have really good players and they have a manager that already knew the league before having managed Arsenal which is such a big team and full of experience.
“He knows how to approach a game and he will have a really good side on the pitch, a side that will make it really tough for us, but we need to be up for the challenge and we need the three points.”
