Pep Guardiola thought his Manchester City players were scared against Arsenal before their nerves were settled by scoring a goal they didn't deserve to.
The Blues ran out comfortable winners against the woeful Gunners to rack up successive 5-0 home victories at the beginning of the campaign and three in a row including the win over Everton on the final day of the last campaign.
Three goals in the opening 45 minutes and a red card for Granit Xhaka killed the contest before a long-range effort from Rodri and a header from Ferran Torres added to the misery for the North London side.
Guardiola, though, saw a very different contest at the beginning of the game and wanted more personality from his stars before they were helped by the scoresheet when Gabriel Jesus crossed for Ilkay Gundogan to nod in the opener.
"We scored a goal without deserving [to]," he said.
"We were scared to play with a lack of personality. They had one or two chances close to the ball, Joao [Cancelo] didn't defend well [for it], and after we find a goal without deserving it.
"Sometimes it happens. Sometimes you play good, create chances and don't score - today was the opposite.
"After 2-0 and the sending off the game was completely different. In the Etihad Stadium, with this lovely day and amazing atmosphere at 2-0, 3-0 and ten against eleven it is easier for us, tougher for the opponent."
