Mikel Arteta has declared that Arsenal aims to secure victory in the upcoming Premier League clash against Manchester City on Sunday.
The Gunners visit the Etihad Stadium with a six-point advantage over City, who have a match in hand, as they pursue their first league title in 22 years.
Arsenal hasn’t triumphed at City since January 2015, and a draw would keep the title race entirely in their control, with five games remaining.
However, Arteta emphasized, “I’m not going to spend a moment discussing that. Our game preparation focuses on winning because that’s how we’ve reached this point, and we’ll continue to do just that.”
“We have earned the right to be in this position, challenging for victory against arguably the best team and manager this league has seen. It’s a tremendous privilege, and we’re eager to play. We’re preparing to win—that’s for sure, and we consider it a significant opportunity for us.”
Guardiola mentioned that if City loses on Sunday, the title race may be “over”. In response to whether he viewed the match in that light, Arteta stated, “I don’t know, there are still six games left. This match is crucial for both teams, and it will [impact] the balance a bit, but winning in the Premier League is challenging for everyone. After this, they will still face difficult matches, and we’ll have to keep going, no matter the outcome.”
“Winning at this stage brings you closer. If we win our first Champions League semifinal, we’ll move closer. That’s why winning on Sunday is important—it’s clear.”
Arteta confirmed that Bukayo Saka will be sidelined due to an Achilles injury, while he is “hopeful” that Noni Madueke recovers from a knee issue. Players such as Jurriën Timber, Martin Ødegaard, and Riccardo Calafiori are still under evaluation.
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The last encounter between Arsenal and City took place in September 2024, where City equalized in stoppage time against a ten-man Arsenal, resulting in a 2-2 draw. Following the match, Erling Haaland advised Arteta to “stay humble” after a heated exchange at the final whistle.
Arteta noted he has yet to discuss the incident with Haaland or City manager Pep Guardiola, stating, “Don’t worry. It’s just a part of the game, and those comments can be quite nice to hear.”
“It’s certainly an intensely competitive match between top teams vying for the Premier League title. There’s no better scenario than this, and that rivalry will undoubtedly be on display on the pitch.”