Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has stressed the importance of the Blues 'accepting and dealing' with their struggles as they look to retain the Premier League title this season.
Pep Guardiola's side currently sit in second position in the top-flight table, with the City trailing league-leaders Arsenal by six points, while leading rivals Manchester United by two points with a game in hand. The Blues had the chance go close the gap on the Gunners last weekend after the London outfit lost to Everton, but the reigning champions fell to a 1-0 defeat at Tottenham themselves.
However, with Mikel Arteta's men having drawn with Brentford on Saturday afternoon, City can move just three points behind them with a victory over Aston Villa on Sunday. Prior to the Blues' clash with Unai Emery's men, United travel to Elland Road to face Leeds United - and the Reds can leapfrog the Blues in the league table.
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Gundogan has insisted that it is vital City respond positively to their defeat at Spurs, but the German ace suggested that it is more difficult to win consistently following the emergence of United and Arsenal as title contenders this campaign.
"Of course, you also need to struggle throughout the season," Gundogan told club media. "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."
The 32-year-old midfielder, who is out of contract at the end of the season, was keen to stress that Guardiola's players are doing everything possible to go on a winning run as City look to retain their Premier League crown.
He added: "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.
"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."
Gundogan has made 29 appearances in all competitions so far this season, registering two goals and two assists.
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