Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says his side will look to deal with Manchester City’s strengths and also target possible weaknesses in Wednesday’s crucial game.
Pep Guardiola’s team, with striker Erling Haaland looking unstoppable in attack, have put the pressure on the leaders and would close the gap on Arsenal to two points if they win at the Etihad Stadium.
City also have two games in hand and would be strong favourites to retain the Premier League title unless Arsenal can take all three points.
City are now firm favourites to win the title, as odds on offer at sites like onlinecasinosnoop.com show.
And Arteta, who previously worked under Guardiola at City, knows all about them.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Arteta said: “We are working on their threats as well as on their weaknesses. We know where they are. City start from the keeper, he is a threat with the ball.
“They can do various things – so many things that you have to adapt to – and you have to focus on certain principles.”
Arteta was also adamant that the outcome of this week’s match will not determine the destination of the title.
“No, if we win tomorrow we have not won the league. It will probably shift the percentage but five games in this league is still very tricky,” he said.
Guardiola, meanwhile, agrees that the game is “important but not decisive” in the race to finish top.
But he knows they cannot afford to slip up as they chase the Gunners.
“My team will arrive to the end of the season knowing if they lose games it [the title race] will be over,” he said.
“That’s why in October, November you can’t have that feeling. The season we got 100 points we started the season saying ‘every game is a final’. When we started [this season] after back-to-back titles, they don’t feel like finals.
“But now I get that feeling because it’s really close. They [Arsenal] have the chance too, the destiny will be in their hands if they win. But, if we win, destiny will be in our hands in the seven games left we have.
“It’s really important. Not decisive because there are still tough games for both sides, but we cannot deny how important it is.”