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Mikel Arteta has firmly dismissed suggestions that Arsenal would be content with a draw against Manchester City on Sunday, insisting the Gunners will head to the Etihad Stadium with only one objective in mind.
“We’re not going to spend one second talking about that,” Arteta replied when asked if a draw would suit his side. “We prepare every game to win, that’s what we are, where we are, and we’re going to continue to do the same.”
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The clash comes with Arsenal sitting six points clear at the top of the Premier League table, though City retain a game in hand. A victory for Pep Guardiola’s side would significantly shift the momentum in the title race with just five games remaining after Sunday’s encounter.
Champions League boost provides confidence
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Arsenal’s midweek draw with Sporting Lisbon secured their passage to the Champions League semi-finals for the second consecutive year, a result Arteta believes has given his squad a significant psychological lift.
“It was a great night, it really gave us a boost because to be part of those best European clubs is a big thing,” the Arsenal manager explained. “We haven’t been there that often, so we really value it. We give huge credit to the players for what they’ve done, and they have to use that fuel, that energy, for Sunday.”
Tactical adjustments expected
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The meeting comes three weeks after City’s tactical masterclass in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley, where they disrupted Arsenal’s build-up play to claim victory. Bournemouth employed similar tactics in their recent win over the Gunners, and Arteta acknowledges others will have taken note.
“There are some moments that we struggle, we didn’t make the right decision, sometimes we broke that press, and then we didn’t take advantage of that,” Arteta reflected. “Every tactic has its issues, its opportunities as well, and in relation to what they do, we will adapt, and we’ll do the same.”
The manager refused to label Sunday’s fixture as the biggest of the season, maintaining his characteristic focus on the immediate task. “It’s certainly the most important one because it’s the next one,” he said.
Despite City’s strong record at the Etihad – Arsenal have managed just two wins there in the last 16 years – Arteta views the occasion as an opportunity rather than an obstacle. “We have earned the right to be in this position, to be challenging and with the possibility to win,” he stated.
While a City victory would narrow the gap significantly, Arteta remains mindful that the title race extends beyond Sunday’s result. With both teams facing difficult fixtures in their remaining matches, the Arsenal boss expects the championship battle to continue until the final day.