Mikel Arteta has revealed that Arsenal’s crucial clash with Manchester City has been a key focus for the club since pre-season preparations.
Last season’s top two teams face off in an early-season showdown at the Etihad, with both clubs currently occupying the top spots in the Premier League table after four games.
Arsenal have come close to challenging Manchester City over the last two campaigns but have yet to dethrone the champions, who have secured the last four league titles.
However, Arteta expressed that Arsenal “dreamed” of being in this position as challengers when he first took charge, and his aspiration to become champions is what drives him on the training ground.
“I enjoy a lot of time in the office and on the training ground, but it is what it is,” Mikel Arteta said at his pre-match press conference.
“We want to be in the position we’re in, we dreamed of this years ago and are in this position right now.
“Let’s make the most out of it and let’s enjoy it.
“We’ve been preparing for this since pre-season.
“Obviously, we knew the schedule and we knew that it’s extremely rare to play in these conditions with three massive away games in six days, but it was what it was so we have prepared for that, both physically, mentally and tactically.
“We’re making sure that everyone is ready for it because we’re going to need them, especially with the injuries that we had from the international break.”
“[It is] a really competitive one.
“We go to the home of the champions, the team that I think in Premier League history has been the most consistent ever, not only in terms of results but in terms of dominance and consistent top performances.
“This is the challenge, we have to go there and prove that again we’ve made another step and we can compete.”
Read more: Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola gives encouraging update on Kevin De Bruyne’s injury
Sir Alex Ferguson lifts lid on missing management 11 years on from Man Utd exit
3 Comments