Mikel Arteta Says Arsenal Clash With Manchester City Not Premier League Title Decider

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has insisted that their upcoming clash with Manchester City is not the Premier League title decider.

Defending champions Manchester City and table-toppers Arsenal are in the race for the Premier League title. Arsenal currently enjoys a five-point lead over second-placed Manchester City, but Pep Guardiola and co. have two games in hand over the Gunners.

Manchester City welcome Arsenal to the Etihad Stadium in their upcoming fixture in the Premier League. The result of that match could prove to be crucial in the race for the Premier League title, but Mikel Arteta is of the opinion that the game is not a title decider.

Both Manchester City and Arsenal head into the crunch Premier League fixture with long unbeaten streaks. Manchester City are unbeaten in their last nine Premier League games, while Arsenal are without a defeat in their last 10 fixtures in the English top-flight.

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Mikel Arteta: Manchester City clash is not Premier League title decider

But Arsenal goes into the game against Manchester City on the back of three consecutive draws that have seen them drop a total of six points.

If Arsenal fails to defeat Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in the upcoming game, Pep Guardiola and co. could lift the Premier League trophy if they win the remainder of the games.

Despite that Mikel Arteta claims that their upcoming Premier League clash with Manchester City is not a title decider. He said: “We knew we had to go to Etihad, it will be difficult, but will it decide the season? No.

“The belief is there, I look at how the players reacted after Southampton, they defend each other in every moment. We really want it and we are again going to show it tomorrow night. But it has to be perfect because that is what is demanded at this time in the season.”

Meanwhile, Arsenal come into the game against Manchester City on the back of a thrilling 3-3 draw with Southampton. Southampton took a two-goal inside the first 14 minutes before Gabriel Martinelli halved Arsenal’s deficit in the 20^th minute. Southampton re-established a two-goal cushion in the 66^th minute but Arsenal scored two late goals to salvage a draw.

Manchester City, meanwhile, heads into the match against Arsenal on the back of a 3-0 defeat of Sheffield United in the FA Cup semi-final.