Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta admitted his side have been preparing since pre-season as they head for their third successive away game this week in a visit to the champions Manchester City in a massive Premier League clash on Sunday.
The Gunners will round off a gritty week as they attempt to unseat the Cityzens as champions by getting one over them this season — after beating Tottenham in the North London derby last Sunday and then earning a point in the goalless draw at Atalanta in the Champions League.
Pep Guardiola’s City side have bested Arsenal to the league crown in the last two seasons and once again, the two clubs are seeming the best two teams fine poised for yet another intruiging title race.
“We’ve been preparing for this since pre-season,” Arteta said.
“Obviously, we knew the schedule and we know 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.”
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard remains sidelined with an ankle injury which he sustained on international duty with Norway and Arteta is unsure of the midfielder’s return date.
“We need to see the development in the next week or so, how the ankle reacts first of all and then the staff will give me an update on the time frame and how long he’ll be out for,” said the 42-year-old.
Arteta also added that there were no new injuries cases after the draw at Atalanta but had hoped for an extra day of rest after City’s stalemate home to Inter Milan on Wednesday.
“We wanted the same as them, we’re not getting it, so we have to adapt and make the most of the time that we have today and tomorrow and on the morning of the match to prepare in the best way to go there and win the game,” he said.
Although City have consistently ended on top of Arsenal in previous games in the past, they have not beaten Arteta’s side in their last three meetings in all competitions — with their last victory coming in April 2023.
Arsenal also have an outstanding away record in 2024, just only dropping points in just the 0-0 draw at City last season, and Arteta insists he expects a competitive atmosphere at the Etihad Stadium.
“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,” he added.
