Arteta Urges Arsenal to Step Up in Manchester City Showdown

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"This is the challenge we face, but we are determined to meet it head-on and show that we have continued to progress and are ready to excel in the competition once again."

City have started the season in ominous fashion, winning their opening four Premier League games 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 to sit two points behind the leaders.

City failed to score against Arsenal in the Premier League last season and the Gunners' title challenge looks set to be built on solid foundations once more.

Arsenal have kept four clean sheets in five games and the only goal they have conceded so far this season came when down to 10 men against Brighton.

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 Wednesday.

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

Arteta, though, said 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 dreamed 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."

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

(This story has not been edited by staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)