Mikel Arteta makes Arsenal tactics vow ahead of Man City showdown | OneFootball

Gunners take on in-form City as Premier League title race goes to the wire

The title rivals meet at the Etihad Stadium this weekend in what could be a match that defines where the trophy ends up come May.

A win for City would mean they could go top of the table if they then beat Burnley on Wednesday night.

Arsenal would maintain their current advantage of six points at the summit with a draw, but Arteta dismissed the suggestion that his side would be happy with a point this weekend.

"I'm not going to spend one second talking about that," the Spaniard said on Friday.

"We prepare every game to win, that's why we are where we are and we're going to continue to do the same.

"We want to win the game. We are there to win the game. We haven't talked about that [a draw]. We need to win the game and we are preparing to win the game.

Arsenal lost to Bournemouth last weekend to weaken their control of the title race.

The Gunners have been beaten in three of their last five matches, including against City in the Carabao Cup final a month ago.

With confidence low, there is a strong argument that Arsenal's best bet of a result at the Etihad is to sit deep and look to frustrate their hosts.

However, on the prospect of 'parking the bus', Arteta said: "We're not going to propose a game like this because we never do that.

"Sometimes the opponent is good that forces you to be there. In City's case you're going to have to have moments that you're going to have to play deep and in your box for periods of time.

"That's the reality."

Arsenal will be without Bukayo Saka on Sunday, as he continues to be unavailable due to an Achilles injury.

Martin Odegaard, Jurrien Timber, Noni Madueke and Riccardo Calafiori are all doubts too, leaving Arteta frustrated as he contends with the familiar problem of injuries.

Asked what the main lesson he has learned is in his four seasons of competing in title races, the Gunnners boss replied: "Get all the players available in April.

"I said it many times. That's the biggest lesson. April, have the whole squad available, your best players on the pitch as much as possible. Probability to win it increases dramatically.