Arsenal boss, Mikel Arteta has said the team knew from day one of the season that Manchester City and Liverpool would be contenders for the Premier League title.
Arsenal goes into the showdown five points clear of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City but has played two more games than the citizens.
Manchester City have beaten Arsenal twice already this season, once in the league and another in the FA Cup and a third defeat would give the defending champions the upper hand in the title race.
However, City’s former assistant coach, who is now in charge of the Gunners, Arteta, told the press this morning that “100 per cent we knew from the beginning that City was the team to beat with Liverpool because of what those teams have done.”
Arsenal has failed to win their last Premier League games against Liverpool, West Ham and Southampton.
“We wanted to close that gap as much as we could and we’re toe-to-toe with them.
“We knew we had to go to the Etihad. Is it going to define the season? The answer is no.
“The biggest game is the next one. The biggest game of my career would have been Southampton.”
A win for Arsenal will restore their hope of winning the title this season, first time since 2004.