Pep Guardiola has warned his players about their body language after Manchester City's title charge suffered another blow on New Year's Eve.
The defending champions have slipped seven points behind leaders Arsenal after failing to beat relegation candidates Everton at the Etihad. Erling Haaland opened the scoring for Guardiola's side before Demarai Gray's stunning strike salvaged a 1-1 draw.
Arsenal took advantage of City's disappointing result by beating Brighton 4-2 at the Amex on the same day. Guardiola isn't giving up on the title race, as there are still 22 games left to play. City will also face the Gunners twice before the final month of the season.
Yet Guardiola expects much more from his glittering squad during the coming weeks. City, who are one of the richest clubs in the world, boast arguably the strongest squad in the Premier League and are the favourites to win a fifth title in six years come May.
Guardiola knows this and has told his players they must prove their worth if they want to start. The Spaniard always has a few world-class stars on the bench - with the likes of Julian Alvarez, Phil Foden, Joao Cancelo and Kyle Walker warming it against Everton.
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"We have to play with 11 - we cannot play with 13 - and every time it is difficult to choose for me because always top players are not playing," said Guardiola. "Mainly lately - perhaps as I am older - I look at the body language in the training sessions and everything.
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"You cannot play good when the body language is not correct. Sometimes I pick them for the body language, for how happy they look and how they are there. This is one of my main decisions when I choose the line-up.
"With the skills I know how good they are, and they know what we want to do. But the body language depends on them and sometimes they are not good."
City's title credentials will be put to the test over the next five weeks, as they must play Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham (twice) in the Premier League. Their first encounter against Arsenal is set to take place at the Emirates on February 15.
The Gunners also have a tricky run of games to contend with, as they will take on Newcastle, Tottenham and Man Utd before the end of January. Arsenal will be considered as the real deal if they're still seven points ahead of City after their meeting next month.
Guardiola's side can still win all four major competitions this season. They face Chelsea in the third round of the FA Cup on Sunday - three days after their Premier League meeting - before travelling to Southampton for a Carabao Cup quarter-final on January 11.
City are also trying to win their maiden European Cup this term. They've reached the last 16 of the Champions League and are expected to overcome RB Leipzig to keep their dream alive. City's German rivals are currently third in the Bundesliga table.
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