Mikel Arteta has has said that a win for Arsenal against Manchester City would be a big boost for his side in the Premier League title race.
Arsenal will host City at the Emirates stadium on Sunday.
A win for the Gunners would see them to nine points clear of the league champions.
Ahead of the clash Arteta said there is always something special when they go up against a big side.
“It would be a big boost for us,” Arteta said in his press conference on Friday. “Winning big matches is always something special. Every time we play a big match against one of our big rivals it brings something extra – the confidence, the emotion, the fact that they are there and continue to win – for that we want to achieve.”
On how confident Arsenal are about beating City:”With 11 men and 60,000 on every ball, right behind us pushing. Bring the energy, that’s what we want.”
The Spaniard was asked on his comment about which he explained what he meant.
” knowing about City,
Of course I know because I was there for four years, so I know how competitive they are, how willing they are and how they can sustain that competitiveness regardless. They win and win again. That’s what I meant.”
When asked if his side have unfinished business and a point to prove against City, Arteta replied:”The business is to be better than them. That’s it. The only thing I review is what happened during that match, how competitive it gets is normal when two big teams want to win the game. Nothing else from that side.”
Meanwhile, Arsenal could be without first choice goalkeeper David Raya for Sunday’s clash.
The Spanish goalkeeper was replaced by Neto for Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League game against Girona due to muscular injury.
Also expected to be out is Ben White who has been a long-term injury absentee.
Questioned on the fitness of Raya and White, Arteta said:”We are still a bit uncertain (about Raya). We have another session tomorrow and another 48 hours, so we have to wait and see. Ben is definitely out, hasn’t trained with us yet so is not going to be available. No other news from the game against Girona.”
