Arteta Asserts Arsenal Will Aim for Victory Against Man City in Key Clash
Mikel Arteta has firmly stated that Arsenal will not entertain the idea of playing for a draw in their pivotal Premier League match against Manchester City on Sunday. The Gunners head to the Etihad Stadium with a crucial six-point advantage over Pep Guardiola’s side, making it essential to avoid defeat as they chase their first league title in 22 years. In a resolute pre-match press conference, Arteta emphasized, "I’m not going to spend one second talking about that," when questioned about a defensive strategy. He insisted, "We prepare every game to win. That’s why we are where we are and we’re going to continue to do the same." He acknowledged the privilege of competing against what he described as "the best team and the best manager that this league has ever seen," expressing eagerness for the match. However, Arsenal will face this challenge without key forward Bukayo Saka, who remains sidelined with an Achilles injury. His absence has coincided with a decline in form for the north London club, who have managed just one win in their last five matches, including a recent defeat to Bournemouth. In contrast, Manchester City built momentum with a commanding 3-0 victory over Chelsea. This fixture is touted as one of the most significant in recent Premier League history. Guardiola previously hinted that City’s title hopes could be extinguished with a loss to Arsenal. In response, Arteta noted, "There are six games to go. It’s a really important one for both teams." The last encounter at the Etihad in September 2024 was intense, marked by an incident involving Erling Haaland and Arsenal defender Gabriel. When asked about Haaland's remarks, Arteta humorously replied he did not understand them, highlighting the fierce competition between the two clubs. Despite Saka's absence, Noni Madueke is expected to be fit for Sunday. Meanwhile, Martin Odegaard, Jurrien Timber, and Riccardo Calafiori will undergo assessments on Saturday, adding uncertainty to Arsenal’s lineup ahead of this crucial clash.
Source: The Independent Sport - 2026-04-17