S Poddar
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has openly said that going to Manchester City his team has only one goal: win. After being harangued for a scared approach that saw them scratching 0-0 last March at the Etihad, Arteta is keen to clear off all those thoughts as he steps on the turf on Sunday with the right mentality.
Manchester City won nine consecutive games to win their fourth successive title in May. That draw against City marked the turning point of the title race, and Arsenal will be put to its limits this weekend after such a crushing disappointment.
Both teams enter into this match after being held to 0-0 draws in their opening Champions League group matches. City, who were held to a draw at the Etihad against Inter Milan, and Arsenal, who owe a double save by David Raya for beating Atalanta, will look to end their poor form when they return to domestic duties. Arteta said “tough times lie ahead” but asserted his team goes into the match looking to win.
“Of course, we’re preparing to win, as always,” Arteta said boldly. “That’s been the message from the start. To beat City, there are things that we need to do a lot better than we did today. There were some aspects of our game against Atalanta that were very good, but we know we’re going to have to take it to another level to come out top this weekend.”
The manager made the comments following his side’s poor performance in Italy. His team could hardly create clear chances without injured skipper Martin Ødegaard. Arteta did not confirm if Thomas Partey would be playing when he returns, having endured an underwhelming game himself, but still seems positive that the attack will revive in time for the crucial game on Sunday.
“Of course, we want to improve in some moments, no doubt of that. To do so, we have to speak sincerely of the things in which we are not good enough. Still, though, we are optimistic because we’re sticking by the things that have taken us here and our process is solid, so the chances will come,” Arteta said.
A player well set for more game time is Riccardo Calafiori, but after a long time out injured, his £42m Italy signing and promising debut proper will only be made off the bench during Wednesday’s match with Atalanta. Arsenal have kept four clean sheets in five games so, to battle for defensive spots will not be easy, but Calafiori is ready to shine.
I was sure that it would be tough to get into this team,” Calafiori admitted. “But I feel rather confident that I will bring the goods for this squad. I want to help and know I have a lot more to offer. The competition is fierce, but that’s what makes us better.”.
The Italian full-back should push for a left-back starting spot, which could be a straight shootout with Jurriën Timber, who has been terrific so far this season. Calafiori’s fitness return might give Mikel Arteta the flexibility he needs in order to select a side balanced enough to have any chance against City’s mighty strike force.
About the consequences of the game in the larger context of title chasing, Calafiori sounded his manager’s words when he said his team instead of the opposition. “We do not need to talk about City,” he said. “If we play our game and stick to what we do best, we can beat them. We go into every game believing that we are going to win.”. This is our strength, and we are quite sure it’s going to take us to where we need to go.
Arteta’s men will need to dig deep to take all three points from reigning champions Manchester City, but the manager’s determination to set up his team for victory suggests they will not be playing defensively this time around. Sunday’s encounter promises to be an early test of Arsenal’s title credentials. Arteta is aware that only a performance of the highest quality will be enough to topple Manchester City, just like any other favorite in this league.
The task of winning at the Etihad is huge but faith within the Arsenal camp is crystal clear: they are going there to win.
