Mikel Arteta Promises Tactical Approach for Arsenal Before Manchester City Clash

Gunners meet in-form City as the Premier League title race intensifies.

This weekend's clash at the Etihad Stadium could significantly impact the title race outcome.

A victory for City could see them rise to the top of the table if they subsequently beat Burnley.

Arsenal would retain a six-point lead with a draw, but Arteta rejected the idea that his team would settle for a point.

“I'm not going to spend one second talking about that,” the Spaniard stated on Friday.

“We prepare every game to win, that's why we are where we are and we're going to continue to do the same.

“We want to win the game. We are there to win the game. We haven't talked about that [a draw]. We need to win the game and we are preparing to win the game.

Arsenal lost to Bournemouth last weekend, diminishing their hold on the title race.

The Gunners have suffered three losses in their last five matches, including a defeat to City in the Carabao Cup final a month ago.

With morale low, it seems Arsenal's best chance at the Etihad may be to adopt a defensive posture.

However, Arteta dismissed the idea of ‘parking the bus': “We're not going to propose a game like this because we never do that.

“Sometimes the opponent is good that forces you to be there. In City's case you're going to have to have moments that you're going to have to play deep and in your box for periods of time.

“That's the reality.”

Arsenal will be without Bukayo Saka on Sunday due to an Achilles injury.

Martin Odegaard, Jurrien Timber, Noni Madueke, and Riccardo Calafiori are all doubts as well, causing Arteta frustration with the ongoing injury issues.

When asked about the key lesson from his four seasons in title races, the Gunners boss replied: “Get all the players available in April.

“I said it many times. That's the biggest lesson. April, have the whole squad available, your best players on the pitch as much as possible. Probability to win it increases dramatically.”