Mikel Arteta comes clean on Arsenal gameplan for Man City with blunt reality check

Mikel Arteta has fired back at suggestions Arsenal lacked ambition during their title run-in last season, assuring fans that his team will step onto the pitch aiming for a triumphant display in their crunch clash against Manchester City. Rodri previously claimed that the Gunners were content with a mere point from their match last March, a mentality he deemed inferior, yet despite celebrating a hard-fought goalless draw at the time, it was City who ultimately clinched the title.

Arteta is adamant about Arsenals winning mindset, vowing they are geared up to issue a strong statement by securing victory on their rivals turf. Arteta affirmed, For sure we will prepare to try and win. That’s been the message already.

He stressed the necessity of a superior performance to overcome Pep Guardiolas formidable side: “In order to do that there are going to be things that we have to do much better. Because we all know we need a big performance to beat them.

“We know what it means. We know what we’re fighting for and it’s a great opportunity for the team to show what we’re capable of doing.”

Preparing for a fierce contest, Arteta acknowledged the might of Man Citys consistent stronghold but remains unphased: It will be really competitive. It’s the home of the champions, the team that’s been the most consistent in history not just in terms of results but in terms of dominance.

Nevertheless, the ambitious Arteta issued a battle cry, asserting Arsenals readiness to prove their mettle: It’s a challenge no doubt. But we will go there and prove that we can take another step that we can compete and win in those grounds.

Mikel Arteta has placed his faith firmly behind Arsenals “unbelievable” defensive duo, Gabriel and William Saliba, as they gear up to halt the goal-scoring titan Erling Haaland. Despite Manchester Citys striker netting nine in just four Premier League matchesoutstripping entire teams’ talliesArteta is confident in his squad’s defensive “chemistry” ahead of their Sunday showdown.

The Gunners boss praised his centre-backs’ synergy, saying: “They are in a great moment and have been very, very consistent for the past two seasons together. There is an unbelievable chemistry there and you can sense it. They have both been exceptional.”

Aware of Haaland’s striking threat, Arteta acknowledged: “When you see the stats and the number of goals that Haaland scores then you can tell that he is one of the main sources. We always look at the individuals and the strengths that they have and how we can nullify that. We need to stop him from scoring.”

Goals haven’t come as freely for Arsenal, with just six across their first five games, including a goalless draw in the Champions League against Atalanta.

The upcoming fixture list doesn’t ease up either, with Arsenal facing a third away match in a week; victories over Tottenham and a draw with Atalanta precede their trip to City, who also enter off the back of a draw in the Champions League but with more rest.

Acknowledging the scheduling challenges, Arteta added: “We wanted the same (recovery) as them. We’re not getting it so we have to adapt and we have to prepare.

“It’s incredibly rare to get three away games in six days like this but we have to be ready. We want to improve in certain areas but in order to do that it’s important that we have to be much, much better.

“We need to create more for sure. There’s no question about that and we have been really open about discussing that. But the chances have to be created because the process has to be good. That’s what we need, consistency.”