Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has revealed that he has been devising a strategy to challenge Manchester City since the summer.
The Gunners are set to visit the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, concluding a demanding week that included matches against Tottenham Hotspur and Atalanta in the UEFA Champions League.
Arteta’s side navigated those two fixtures relatively well, securing a 1-0 victory over Spurs and managing a 0-0 draw in Bergamo.
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At a press conference on Friday, Arteta explained that the intensity of this early-season schedule prompted him to start planning for City well in advance.
“We’ve been preparing for this since pre-season,” he stated. “We knew the schedule, and it’s quite rare to have three significant away games in six days. But it is what it is, so we’ve prepared physically, mentally, and tactically.
“We’re ensuring that everyone is ready, especially considering the injuries we picked up during the international break.”
Last season, Arsenal drew 0-0 at City in a match that ultimately cost them the title by just one point. After clinching the trophy on the final day, Rodri criticized Arsenal for their conservative approach that day, questioning their mentality.
Now, Arteta is urging his players to demonstrate that they can take “another step” in their quest for success.
“We’re going to the home of the champions, a team that I believe has been the most consistent in Premier League history, both in results and dominant performances,” he added. “This is the challenge. We need to show that we’ve made progress and that we can compete.”