City have scored the most goals in the Premier League for the last three campaigns, but have only netted 18 times in 12 games so far this season and the manager has admitted we are underperforming in the final third.
CHECK OUT OUR LEISUREWEAR RANGE
Guardiola says the goalscoring responsibility rests on the whole team, not just the striking duo of Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus, and does not believe he needs to bring in other forwards to change our fortunes in front of goal.
“Absolutely not,” was the boss’ response when asked if it’s time to consider other options.
“Sergio could not play much and Gabriel has incredible numbers, his minutes to goals in the Premier League since coming here is one of the best.
“He scores goals. It is not just on his shoulders. We took 13 corners last game so everyone can score goals. The way we defend depends on the strikers and the same happens up front.
“The strikers have more responsibility, but everyone is involved to try to win games.”
Official Man City Start Page and Wallpapers
Get the Official Manchester City Start page for your Chrome browser. Add the extension to your browser, for the latest news and wallpapers in your desktop tab.
Whilst Guardiola has not shied away from the fact City’s attacking output needs to improve, he remains confident our goalscoring form will return.
The 49-year-old does not believe his side need to make big changes to our style of play and simply wants his players to remain aggressive in attack and to focus on creating as many changes as possible.
“If 25 shots is not enough, create more,” he said, in reference to the number of chances City had against West Bromwich Albion in midweek.
“The only thing is to insist, be positive and one day it will break.
“Be aggressive, put more players there and when we are able to score goals and win games the confidence will be back.
“But the reality is comparing the 40 goals we scored in the first 12 fixtures in the year we won the first Premier League, 36 for the second Premier League and last year we scored 35 at this stage.
“This year we have 18 so in the previous seasons we were there really well and we have to score more.
“Last season we scored more goals than the champions. We conceded too much but we have to score more.
“Everybody knows it but it doesn’t depend on one specific player. Everyone can score, it depends on the mentality and the desire.”
You can watch full-match replays of every men’s first team game with a CITY+ subscription.
