Mikel Arteta has informed Arsenal's squad that they will be aiming for a win against Manchester City on Sunday, following criticism for their defensive approach during the 0-0 draw at City in March. City secured their fourth consecutive Premier League title by a single point, winning their remaining nine matches after that stalemate. Both teams drew 0-0 with Italian teams in the first round of Champions League matches this week, with City held at home by Inter and Arsenal relying on David Raya's double save against Atalanta.
Arteta, whose team faces a third consecutive away fixture after defeating Spurs last Sunday, has declined to criticize the scheduling that gives City an extra 24 hours to prepare. Rodri claimed in May that he knew City would win when Arsenal visited for a draw because they "lack mentality," but Arteta has asserted that he will set up his team to win.
"For sure we will prepare to try and win, like we did [against Atalanta]," the manager said. "That's been the message already. In order to do that there are going to be things that we have to do much better than tonight. There are some things that we have done exceptionally well tonight and we are going to have to do them again. Because we all know we need a big performance to beat them."
Arsenal struggled with creativity against Atalanta due to the absence of their injured captain Martin Ødegaard, creating only a couple of real chances. Arteta, who must decide whether to bench Thomas Partey for Jorginho after the Ghana midfielder's poor display, acknowledged that his team has not been at their attacking best but hopes they can regain their form against City.
"We want to improve in certain areas but in order to do that it's important that we have to be much, much better," he said. "We have been really open about discussing that. But the chances have to be created because the process has to be good."
The £42m signing Riccardo Calafiori is in contention to make his first start for Arsenal after recovering from an injury sustained with Italy. He was a second-half substitute against Atalanta and is likely to compete with the impressive Jurriën Timber for the left-back role. Calafiori admitted he faces a tough challenge to break into the team after four clean sheets from five matches this season.
"It's a huge challenge but I knew that already before I came and I think I can give my qualities, my skills to the team and I'm happy to do it," he said. "I know I can give more."
Asked whether Arsenal needed to lay down a title marker by beating City, he said: "We don't need to speak about them because we have to focus on ourselves and we can beat them if we do our things well. We believe we can win, for sure. Every game we have to win. That's our belief and our strength of feeling. We can do it."
