On Sunday, Arsenal is going to face Manchester City at Etihad Stadium. Mikel Arteta responds that his team will not settle for a draw. He said the team will fight and win maximum points for the Premier League title. However, Arsenal will have to play without Bukayo Saka.
Arsenal has a Chance to Win Says Arteta
Arsenal, also called the North London Club, is ahead of Manchester City by 6 points. According to the reports, even if the match goes to a draw, the Gunners will still have an upper hand. There’s still a chance for Arsenal to win the title. However, Pep Guardiola’s team, Manchester City, has a game in hand. Manchester City is left with a match to play. This can reduce the points gap with Arsenal.
Arsenal hasn’t won the title in 22 years. So, Arteta strongly wants to win this match. Arsenal wants to win this match to avoid recent failure and past criticism. Recently, Arsenal lost to AFC Bournemouth. Two years ago, Arsenal played against Manchester City. That match was a draw and drew criticism.
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Mikel Arteta is Not Going to Settle For a Draw
Before the football match, Arteta clearly said his team is not going to aim for a draw. He said Arsenal will bring Manchester City down. Although Manchester City has won three titles in one season, Arsenal will play strongly. His team will focus on scoring more goals at Manchester City’s home ground.
Mikel Arteta stresses that his team wants to win. He said Arsenal is preparing to win and does not want a draw. Arteta mentioned that this is like any other game. There will be no change with any other stadium. They will be focused on winning as they have in other matches.
Arteta clarified that the team is not going to play defensively or sit back. He remarked that Manchester City is a strong team. However, there may come a situation when Arsenal would have to defend. The main purpose of the team will remain to make as many goals as possible.
Mikel Arteta Confirms Arsenal Will Show Up Even Without Saka
Bukayo Saka is suffering from an Achilles injury. Though Bukayo Saka was an important player on the right side, he will not be playing. Captain Martin Odegaard, along with Jurrien Timber, is also not fit. Thus, it is not clear which player is fit to play. This has created selection difficulties for Arteta for the team lineup.
Arteta said this is not the first time players have been out. He said Arsenal have been dealing with injuries all season. He remarked that Arsenal is still at the top, given the setbacks. The players’ mentality and to always come up with a solution has made them stand where they are today. The team’s never-giving-up attitude makes them strong.
Mikel Arteta is Confident of Arsenal Being Focused
Sunday’s match is significantly going to test Arsenal’s maturity. It is going to be the deciding match as well. If Arsenal wins, then they can prove they are the champions. On the other hand, if Manchester City wins, then for Pep Guardiola, the race will be over. That is why there is a lot of excitement around this match.
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Along with the Premier League, Arsenal will also play in the Champions League semi-final. This match is going to be against Atletico Madrid. Arsenal have reached the semi-finals for the second consecutive year. Arteta said that despite this progress, the team is not going to lose its focus.
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