I really don't think there's a lack of respect put on City's achievements. Certainly not from an Arsenal perspective - any interview with Arteta or the Arsenal players about City and they are clear that City is their benchmark and what they aspire to get to.
The Rags and Dippers will have a different view based on a different type of rivalry but City could get 114 points and those 2 clubs would still cast aspertions. My comment about City improving was that Arsenal will be better this season than last, so City will also need to be, not that City won't! I'd fully expect City to improve - in particular I think Gvardiol is going to be an absolute monster. In a way it's good that this situation exists as it forces the teams to keep getting better and improving. This isn't a farmer's league despite what some people say.