This is who we are. This is our team. This is City.
Several days have passed since Manchester City's dramatic Manchester Derby triumph, yet Gianluigi Donnarumma remains immersed in the satisfaction of that result at the club's training ground. The Italian goalkeeper's focus extends beyond the controversy surrounding Erling Haaland's decisive goal—though he maintains frustration over Phil Foden's dismissal, which he considers
harshlyapplied during the match.
What truly resonated with Donnarumma was the manner in which his side responded to adversity. Facing numerical disadvantage and mounting pressure, City demonstrated the character required to secure victory.
I loved my team-mates' performance, it was sublime,he tells Sky Sports.
The capacity to stay in the game and to react to difficult moments - no one can take that away from us.
We will give everything for this shirt, for this club that gives us so much and offers us so much great support. It has a great history, and we need to give a lot back to it.
Few observers had predicted City would maintain an unblemished record heading into the international break, particularly given the departures of Pep Guardiola, Bernardo Silva, John Stones and Rodri—the pillars of their recent dominance. The club's performance has been uneven in certain respects, and Donnarumma acknowledges that learning remains necessary despite the flawless beginning under Enzo Maresca's management.
Yet the goalkeeper resists the language commonly applied to City's current situation.
I don't really like the word 'transition',he explains.
The club's objective is to win. This team's objective is to win. We'll certainly give everything we can to achieve that.
We could reach the end of the season having won something, or having won nothing. But what's important is having a winning mentality, going out there and trying to win everything we possibly can.
Leadership driving standards
Donnarumma himself has become instrumental in establishing the winning culture that defines City's approach. He forms part of a newly-constituted leadership group tasked with replacing the departed figures who shaped the club's recent era. Alongside Ruben Dias, Erling Haaland and Marc Guehi, Donnarumma anchors a quartet united by trophy-winning experience at multiple elite institutions.
As fresh arrivals including Ayyoub Bouaddi, Elliot Anderson and Ilimian Ndiaye integrate into the squad, the leadership group bears responsibility for maintaining standards and accelerating their adaptation. Bouaddi's assured debut in Manchester City's 2-0 Champions League win over Porto suggests Enzo Maresca has assembled a midfield capable of functioning without Rodri.
We've changed a few players. A few new ones have arrived,Donnarumma observes.
They're all top players who are used to playing on the biggest stages, dealing with certain situations, and playing in the Premier League.
It's not easy at the beginning when you move to a new club, a new organisation, a new city. But they're adapting well, and we're making them feel comfortable.
The players who were already here are helping them a lot. I think we're going to have a great season.
The objective is to get to the end and compete for everything there is to compete for - in addition to the Premier League, there's the Champions League and the two domestic cups.
Donnarumma's arrival at City itself represented a significant statement of intent. The goalkeeper joined from Paris Saint-Germain for £26 million on a five-year contract with an option for a further year, replacing Ederson following his move to Fenerbahce. Donnarumma became City's seventh and final summer signing, taking their total summer expenditure to £185.8 million.
Arsenal's shadow looms large
City's ambitions face a formidable obstacle in the shape of Arsenal, who have similarly begun their campaign with five consecutive victories. The psychological weight of last season's title loss—when City surrendered the Premier League crown to Mikel Arteta's side—remains evident. Donnarumma experienced that disappointment firsthand, having claimed the league title in each of the five seasons preceding the previous campaign.
It's difficult, but that's football, that's life. You're not on your own,he reflects on that setback.
There are other strong teams, especially in the Premier League.
It's not that if you don't win there isn't disappointment - of course there is - but it can happen because there are other teams as well, just like in the Champions League.
It's important to go into every game trying to win it. Certainly, our objective will be to win, but there are other teams too.
You have to compete, you have to work, and you have to do everything possible because the history of this club demands it.
Whether City and Arsenal will again emerge as the season's principal contenders remains uncertain at this early stage.
I don't know. We're only four games into the season,Donnarumma cautions.
Our focus right now has to be on working and trying to win every game. That has to be our objective.
Whether we achieve it in the end or not, only time will tell.
Immediate fixtures ahead
City's attention now turns to a demanding sequence of fixtures. The club hosts Norwich City in the Carabao Cup third round on Thursday 17 September 2026, with kick-off at 8pm, before facing Sunderland in the Premier League on Sunday 20 September 2026 at 2pm. Both matches will be broadcast on Sky Sports, offering Donnarumma and his teammates the opportunity to extend their unbeaten run and reinforce their credentials across multiple competitions.
