City have achieved near footballing perfection over the past few years, winning four consecutive titles and five out of six.

It is just over 18 months since they won the Treble of Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League.

At the start of November, they were unbeaten in 32 Premier League games.

A run of six games without a win in all competitions, starting in late October, was followed by a win over Nottingham Forest – but then three more matches without a win.

Other lows have included a 4-1 loss to Sporting, a 2-1 derby defeat by Manchester United, a 4-0 home reverse against Tottenham, and blowing a 3-0 lead to draw 3-3 with Feyenoord.

So far this year their only defeat had been against Paris St-Germain in the Champions League, but the result against Arsenal was just proof that no real corner has been turned.

This is the season when the club will discover their punishment for an alleged 115 Premier League rule charge breaches, but on the pitch they have a similarly long list of concerns.

Guardiola said: “It’s happened all season, we are giving away too many things. We are aware this cannot happen, it happened.”

City have 41 points – their lowest tally after 24 league games since 2008/09.

They remain fourth, but Newcastle, Chelsea and Bournemouth are all within a point of them.