Guardiola hopes to make more history after treble-winning season

Ticker tape was still strewn across the field inside Istanbul's Ataturk Olimpiyat Stadium and Manchester City fans weren't done partying in the stands when Pep Guardiola issued an ominous warning to his rivals.

Far from feeling sated after finally transferring Man City's domestic dominance to Europe by winning the Champions League for the first time last season, the City manager was looking to build on his club's historic treble of trophies.

“I don’t want after one Champions League to disappear, so work harder next season and be in there.”

Guardiola had completed his ultimate mission by conquering Europe with City, having done so twice as coach of Barcelona, but he made it clear that his ambition was to achieve more.

And there are new boundaries for him to break ahead of the new campaign which starts on Friday.

He can become the first manager to win four straight Premier League titles — something even Alex Ferguson could not do during his dominance with Manchester United. Indeed, no team has ever won four straight top-flight titles in the history of English football.

Guardiola has already emulated Ferguson by winning the treble of the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup in one season. Now he could better the man widely considered the greatest manager in the history of British football.

City are expected to be the team to beat once again, even after an off-season that has seen the club lose their inspirational captain Ilkay Gundogan and game-changing winger Riyad Mahrez.

There is also still uncertainty about the future of Bernardo Silva, and one of Guardiola's top targets, Declan Rice, joined last season's runner-up Arsenal instead of City.

Croatia defender Josko Gvardiol has joined City from Leipzig for 90 million euros ($99 million) and his international teammate, midfielder Mateo Kovacic, was signed from Chelsea.

So Guardiola is not standing still and if there is any danger of complacency creeping in at City, it won't come from the manager.

The question is how fierce a challenge City will face from their rivals.

“There is not one or two teams, but a lot of teams who will fight for everything,” Guardiola said. “The challenge is massive for us. How starving are we? How is our desire to defend what we won?”

It is worth remembering that even in a season that saw City win a title treble, for much of the campaign Arsenal led the way in England's top division.

Mikel Arteta's team held top spot in the league for 248 days. That is the longest period any team has been at the summit without going on to win the title.

How will Arsenal respond to coming so close to a first league championship since 2004 only to fall at the last?

The signs were certainly positive on Sunday as the London club beat City on penalties to win the Community Shield.

“That moment when you feel, ‘I failed’ or ‘I didn’t achieve what I wanted.' You still have the hunger and desire to go again. That’s a big motivation,” Arteta said.

Arsenal's transfer business suggests they are ready to step up their challenge to City.

Rice was signed for a reported 105 million pounds ($138 million) and Champions League-winning forward Kai Havertz has joined from Chelsea. Netherlands defender Jurrien Timber was signed from Ajax.

Arsenal should have more depth as a result of their recruitment, while Rice is regarded one of the top midfield talents in Europe.

It will also have the experience of being involved in an intense title race.

Arteta, however, will have to cope with the added pressure of competing in the Champions League.

Still, it would be a remarkable achievement if he could get Chelsea anywhere near City.