Mikel Arteta has insisted Arsenal will not approach Sunday’s Premier League trip to Manchester City playing for a draw, with the manager calling it a “huge privilege” to be in a position to shape the title race.
Mikel Arteta has made clear Arsenal will not head to the Etihad looking to protect their position with caution alone, insisting his side are preparing to beat Manchester City rather than settle for a result that merely keeps the title race in their own hands. Arsenal start the weekend six points clear of City, who also have a game in hand, making Sunday one of the biggest matches left in the Premier League season.
That was the clearest message from Arteta when he was asked whether a draw might be enough for Arsenal. “I’m not going to spend one second talking about that,” he said. “We prepare every game to win, that’s why we are where we are and we’re going to continue to do the same.”
It was a pointed answer, and one that set the tone for the rest of his media briefing. Rather than frame the game through risk or fear, Arteta repeatedly described it as an opportunity Arsenal have earned. “It’s certainly the most important one because it’s the next one,” he said. “We have earned the right to be in this position, to be challenging and with the possibility to win and the opportunity to win on Sunday, arguably against the best team and the best manager that this league has ever seen. That’s a huge privilege, and we can’t wait to play the game.”
That sense of occasion has only grown because of what surrounds the fixture. Pep Guardiola has already described the game as a final for City, saying defeat would effectively end their title hopes. Arteta’s response was less dramatic, but not much less competitive. Asked whether a win for Arsenal would be a major step, he kept it simple: “Winning at this stage you are a bit closer.”
Arteta also suggested Arsenal should take momentum from Wednesday’s goalless draw with Sporting CP, which sealed a 1-0 aggregate win and a place in the Champions League semi-finals. He called it “a great night” and said the players now have to use “that fuel, that energy” for Sunday. Arsenal have had little time to pause between one major occasion and the next, but Arteta’s argument was that nights like the one against Sporting should strengthen rather than drain the group.
There was also a wider message in how he spoke about pressure. When asked who was under more pressure, Arteta turned the question around. “Who’s more privileged to be in this position?” he said. “I feel very privileged to have earned the right to be in this position to play such a big and great game.”
Arteta’s message was straightforward. Arsenal are not heading to Manchester to protect what they have. They are going there to try to win the game. With City still their closest challengers and only six matches left after this weekend, Sunday’s result could shift the balance of the title race again.