While Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta acknowledged Tuesday that his team’s fate might be affected by their upcoming Premier League showdown with Manchester City, he insisted that the outcome of the game would not be decisive.
After winning two and drawing one of their previous three games, Arsenal’s lead in the Premier League table has shrunk to five points over Manchester City, despite the fact that Pep Guardiola’s team has played two more games.
On the other hand, City has been rolling lately, racking up victories as they chase the elusive treble by advancing to the FA Cup final and the semifinals of the Champions League.
With their pursuit of a first Premier League crown since 2003-04, Arsenal will go to Manchester City on Wednesday with the hopes of regaining control of the title race.
“We knew from the beginning, City and Liverpool were the teams to beat,” Arteta told reporters. “(For) what they have done for the last six or seven years, they fully deserve credit.
“We wanted to close the gap as much as we possibly could, now we are toe-to-toe.
“We knew we had to go to Etihad and after that we are going to have five very difficult games. So that game (on Wednesday) is going to be really important. Is it going to define this season? The answer is no.”
Although Arsenal have lost their last seven meetings against City in all competitions and have not won away at City in the league since 2015, Arteta insists that he has “100%” faith in his team’s ability to compete.
“I look at how the players reacted (after the last game), they defend each other in every moment. We really want it and we are again going to show it tomorrow night,” Arteta added.
“But you have to deliver in the right moment, the right performance. It has to be perfect because that is what is demanded at this time (in the season).”
Arteta responded, “No, if we win tomorrow we have not won the league.” This indicates that the match will not be a “winner takes all” situation. It’s likely to change the percentages, but five games in this league is still a lot to ask for.
Granit Xhaka (sickness) is also questionable, and Arsenal is still waiting to hear about the status of William Saliba (lower back).
“No real improvement, we are still waiting, still hopeful, but another week gone by and he was not able to train with the team,” Arteta said.
Asked if defender Saliba would be available for Wednesday’s trip to the Etihad, Arteta added: “I’ll leave that to the doctors. We are preparing for this game without him, we have to go week by week.”
