Manchester City have assembled the most formidable attacking line-up ever seen in the Premier League... so can Pep Guardiola lead them to the title?

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There were plenty of jokes doing the rounds over the summer about how Manchester City had spent more on their defence this year than quite a few countries around the world.

City spent £160m on bolstering their back line in 2016 and 2017, more than the military budgets of Afghanistan, Bosnia, Ghana, Cuba and 42 other nations.

But hand-in-hand with defence is having plenty of weaponry and Pep Guardiola certainly isn't wanting when it comes to his attacking arsenal as well.

Pep Guardiola has assembled a formidable line-up of attacking talent at Manchester City

Guardiola will hope Sergio Aguero (left) can form a partnership with Gabriel Jesus (right)

City have assembled some big guns for their anticipated assault on the twin objectives of winning the Premier League title and the Champions League this season.

Everton are next in the firing line of what is arguably the greatest embarrassment of attacking riches ever seen in the English top-flight when they visit the Etihad Stadium on Monday night.

With such firepower at his disposal, Guardiola will face a weekly headache as to what his strongest line-up looks like and you do wonder if he can keep everybody happy.

Last Sunday at Brighton, Guardiola started the season with a 3-1-4-2 formation, two of his two out-and-out strikers Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus starting up top.

Behind them were the attacking wing-backs Kyle Walker and Danilo either side of creative powerhouses Kevin de Bruyne and David Silva.

Kevin de Bruyne takes the ball forward in City's opening weekend win over Brighton

The creative force of David Silva will again be crucial for City in the season ahead

How Manchester City are expected to line up in their home match against Everton

Once City had broken down newly-promoted Brighton's stubborn resistance, Guardiola withdrew Jesus for Raheem Sterling and Aguero for Bernardo Silva.

We are likely to see a similar approach against Everton, with Aguero and Jesus furthest forward, supported by De Bruyne and Silva, with Walker and potentially Leroy Sane as the wide men.

It could resemble more of a 3-5-2 formation, with Fernandinho allowed a little more licence to push forward if City have sufficient grip on the contest.

The midweek friendly game in Girona only served to highlight some of the other possibilities at Guardiola's disposal.

Sterling started up front alongside the highly rated youngster Brahim Diaz, with a four of Danilo, Silva, Sane and 17-year-old wonderkid Phil Foden in midfield.

Really, Guardiola has dozen of possible combinations at his disposal and it should really depend on the strengths and weaknesses of particular opponents.

In terms of proven strikers, there aren't many superior in the Premier League than Aguero. The Argentine has an incredible 169 goals in 253 appearances for City since 2011 and finished last season with 33.

Bernardo Silva has arrived from Monaco for £43million to further strengthen their attack

Leroy Sane, the Germany international, battles for the ball during the friendly with Girona

While the front line swirls with exciting, youthful attacking promise, it is very hard to omit Aguero, in his prime at the age of 29.

Gabriel Jesus has made an electric start to life in England, and managed to score seven Premier League goals in only 10 outings before breaking his metatarsal.

Jesus seems blissfully unaware of the incredible hype surrounding him and though City have already paid £27million for him, with add-ons to follow, it looks like a great piece of business.

Sterling was one of the players who visibly improved under Guardiola's tutelage last season, having been laden with the weight of his £49m price tag after moving from Liverpool.

But a pivotal season awaits the England forward, who must demonstrate he is worthy of his starting place amid stiff competition from the likes of Sane.

Raheem Sterling will find himself fighting for his place amid increased competition 

Kyle Walker will be encouraged to attack down the right wing as much as possible

Bernardo Silva, signed from Monaco for £43m, offers yet more exciting possibilities on the right-hand side though it appears he might have to content himself with coming off the bench in the first few weeks at least.

As if that isn't enough, City have the pure class of David Silva and De Bruyne, both of whom have been excellent in recent times.

The Spaniard is one of the best players in the league and scored eight times last season, laying on another 11. Belgian De Bruyne is just a creative powerhouse, setting up a remarkable 21 goals in the league last season.

Consider then that you have the bullish midfield play of Yaya Toure and Fernandinho, plus Ilkay Gundogan almost back to full fitness, and it's little wonder City are the title favourites.

A long season lies ahead, in which City will fight on multiple fronts, but Guardiola still faces the challenge of keeping all these attacking players happy when it comes to game time.

One thing is for certain, however, they shouldn't be short in the goals tally.