By Korede James
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has admitted that beating Manchester City would lift his side’s confidence in the English Premier League title race.
The Gunners will host Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, and a win for the Arteta’s side would take them nine points clear of the league champions and keep up the pressure on leaders Liverpool.
“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, Arteta said: “With 11 men and 60,000 on every ball, right behind us pushing. Bring the energy, that’s what we want.”
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 fixture against Girona due to a 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.”
