Declan Rice has said Arsenal must improve quickly if they are to leave the Etihad with the title race still firmly in their hands.
Declan Rice has said Arsenal must raise their level against Manchester City, with the midfielder admitting recent performances have fallen short of the standard required before what amounts to the biggest league test of the season.
Arsenal go to the Etihad Stadium top of the table, with 21 wins, seven draws and four defeats in the league, but the sense around this game is that they are starting to falter after losing to City in the Carabao Cup final, Southampton in the FA Cup and then to Bournemouth last weekend in the Premier League.
City have the momentum, Arsenal have the points on the board, and the outcome of this match will likely shape the title race from here.
For all the talk about City’s attacking talent, and the familiar threat posed by the likes of Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku, Arsenal travel with the strongest defensive record in the division and with a far more mature side than the one that used to come here and unravel.
The partnership of William Saliba and Gabriel has been central to that, and so has the wider sense that this Arsenal team are now better equipped to manage major occasions. Mostly.
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Even so, Rice made clear there can be no comfort taken from any of that if their level does not improve immediately after the recent displays against Bournemouth and Sporting.
“There’s no beating around the bush,” he said. “We have to perform better than we did against Bournemouth and you can say against Sporting as well.
“Recently, we probably have made too many errors than we have done in previous weeks. It’s about doing the basics a little bit better to a better level.
“The Etihad is the ultimate test – but it’s why we play this game. So, bring it on. I can’t wait. It’s why we play the game.
“It comes down to if you’re going to be ready and how much you want it.”
Avoid defeat and Arsenal keep City at arm’s length.
Lose, and they hand Manchester one of the handles of the trophy.
It’s really that simple.
If you’d like to see what state the City squad is in, you can do that here.
- Arsenal lead Premier League clubs in key World Cup stat
Arsenal lead the Premier League clubs for the most goal involvements at the World Cup so far, and with 10 players in the quarter-finals, their tally could increase further. - Reports mixed on top Arsenal talent signing for Spurs
Arsenal youngster Kyran Thompson’s future is the subject of some confusion, with reports he’s signed for Tottenham Hotspur but images showing him in Newcastle. - Arsenal sign Reuteler on free transfer
Geraldine Reuteler has joined Arsenal on a free transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt after being a long-term target for the club. - Incoming Arsenal signing completes medical & contract
Illan Meslier has completed his medical and signed his contract ahead of the confirmation of his free transfer move to Arsenal, according to reports. - Everton shortlist Arsenal & Spurs duo
Everton are still considering a move for Arsenal’s Ben White, but they’re also looking at Tottenham Hotspur’s Djed Spence, according to a report.