Pep Guardiola has said Manchester City need to produce an 'almost-perfect job' to beat Arsenal in the Premier League this weekend.
The Premier League's top two meet at the Etihad in a pivotal clash in the title race on Sunday. Arsenal have led the Premier League since early October and head into the fixture six points ahead of the Citizens. However, Guardiola's side have closed in recent weeks amid Arsenal's dip in results, and do have a game-in-hand.
A win for City would blow open the title race, while Guardiola has conceded that defeat would all but end his side's hopes.
He's anticipating a tough challenge against the North Londoners, who he said are 'strong in all departments'. Arsenal boast the best defensive record in the Premier League this season and progressed to the Champions League semi-finals in midweek.
"They are strong in all departments. The duals, the physicality," Guardiola said of Arsenal.
"They are really good with the second-balls, when they defend deep their transition is good - it is one of the best of the best. They are so aggressive and set-pieces - that's why they are who they are.
"They have been in the semi-final of the Champions League, top of the Premier League all season. I am proud to be there still challenging them. Unfortunately not in the Champions League but in the Carabao Cup we won - in the FA Cup we are in the semi-finals and here we are.
"We will see what happens. How we perform and after that will be a secret of how to do an almost-perfect job and win these kind of rivals."
City beat Arsenal 2-0 in the Carabao Cup final last month and Guardiola wants to use his side's second-half performance at Wembley as the benchmark for the weekend.
"If we play like the second-half [of the Carabao Cup final] during 95 minutes and they play like the second-half, we are going to win. Well, maybe not because football is unpredictable, but it will be closer. That is what we want.
"I know Mikel. They are going to adjust something and we have to prepare to do it. In the end, it is more simple. It is how your players individually win the me against you and how they are able to do it."