On Tuesday, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said the top-of-the-table Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester City will be significant but will not decide their season.
After drawing their past three games, Arsenal are only five points ahead of City, who have played two more games.
After reaching the FA Cup final and Champions League semi-finals, City has been on a roll, aiming for a treble.
Arsenal head to City on Wednesday to reclaim the top fight and win their first Premier League title since 2003-04.
“We knew from the beginning, City and Liverpool were the teams to beat,” Arteta told reporters. They deserve credit for their six- or seven-year work.
“We tried to cut the gap as much as possible, now we are toe-to-toe.
We knew we had to fly to Etihad and then have five very difficult games. That Wednesday game is crucial. Will it define this season? It’s no.”
Arsenal have lost their past seven meetings with City in all competitions and have not won at City in the league since 2015, but Arteta says he has “100%” faith in his players to battle them.
After the last game, the players defended each other. “We want it and will show it again tomorrow night,” Arteta said.
But you must perform at the correct time. This season demands perfection.
Arteta replied, “No, if we win tomorrow we have not won the league.” It will change the percentage, but five games in this league are hard.”
William Saliba (lower back) and Granit Xhaka (illness) remain uncertain for Arsenal.
“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 added.
Arteta replied, “I’ll leave that to the doctors.” We must prepare for this game week by week without him.”
