Mikel Arteta urges Arsenal to step up in crucial Man City showdown

Pep Guardiola's Manchester City team has made history by winning an incredible four consecutive English top-flight titles, finishing ahead of Arsenal in the past two seasons.

Arteta’s men took four points from the two league meetings between the sides last season, a 1-0 win at home and a 0-0 away draw – but have not won at the Etihad Stadium since January 2015.

“We go to the home of the champions. The team that I think in Premier League history has been the most consistent ever, not only in terms of results but in terms of dominance and consistent top performances,” he said on Sept 20.

“This is the challenge, we have to go there and prove that again we’ve made another step and we can compete.”

City have started the season in ominous fashion, winning their opening four Premier League games – the only team to have done so – thanks to a remarkable nine goals from Erling Haaland.

But Arsenal have already shown their mettle to remain in the fight with away wins at Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur to sit two points behind the leaders.

The Gunners’ title challenge looks set to be built on solid foundations once more, after they stopped City from scoring against them last season.

Arsenal have also kept four clean sheets in five games and the only goal they have conceded so far this campaign came when they were down to 10 men against Brighton & Hove Albion. They drew that match 1-1, the only league fixture they have failed to win so far.

However, the scheduling has not been kind to their chances of inflicting City’s first home defeat in 50 games stretching back to December 2022.

Arsenal played their opening Champions League match – a 0-0 draw away to Atalanta – 24 hours after City were also held goalless at home by Inter Milan on Sept 18.

Guardiola admitted the extra rest has given his side an advantage.

Arteta, though, insisted that his side could not offer excuses as they aim to prove they are ready to be champions for the first time in 21 years.

“We want to be in the position we’re in, we dreamt of this years ago and we’re in this position right now. Let’s make the most out of it and let’s enjoy it,” he added.

“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.”

Captain Martin Odegaard will again be missing for Arsenal after suffering ankle ligament damage on international duty with Norway.

Guardiola, meanwhile, was non-committal about whether Kevin de Bruyne will play after his skipper limped off at half-time of their draw with Inter, and did not play the second half.

Perhaps his absence would be less critical than in previous seasons. The 33-year-old has only one goal and one assist in league play, but City have still scored 11 times during their perfect start, albeit nine came from Haaland.

“We’ll see. He could be (involved),” Guardiola said, before praising Arsenal for always giving his team a hard fight.

“Every season they get stronger, the depth of the squad. Every season is even better and better.

“It’s always been a tight game, in the last few years. I think we are a good team but they’re good too. They do many good things, they’re a complete team, which is why they’ve been our biggest rivals in the last two seasons.” AFP,