Arsenal travel to Manchester City knowing the Premier League could be wiped out by next Wednesday.
Published April 17, 2026
Mikel Arteta has urged Arsenal, reeling from turmoil, to enjoy the “huge privilege” of facing Manchester City in a potentially decisive clash for the Premier League title.
Arteta’s side are six points behind second-placed City ahead of Sunday’s blockbuster clash at the Etihad Stadium.
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However, City still have a game left against the Gunners and a win for Pep Guardiola’s side would tip the balance of power in their favor heading into the final week of the season.
Adding drama to the desperate battle, Arsenal have lost three of their last five competitive matches and are suffering an unexpected drop in form.
They lost to City in the League Cup final, suffered a shocking defeat against Second Division Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals and suffered a crushing defeat against Bournemouth in their home league match.
The Gunners were again well below their best on Wednesday, but held out a 0-0 draw with Sporting Lisbon for a 1-0 aggregate victory in the Champions League quarter-finals.
But despite criticism of Arsenal’s mental weakness under pressure, Arteta is confident his players have the right character to take a big step towards winning the Premier League.
“We have earned the right to be in this position and challenge and have the opportunity to beat probably the best team and best manager in the history of this league,” Arteta told reporters on Friday.
“It’s a huge honor. We see this as a huge opportunity. Who could be more honored to be in this position?”
“I don’t know how Pep and Man City feel, but I feel very privileged to have earned the right to be in this position to play such a big, great game.”
Arsenal are aiming for their first English title since 2004 after finishing runners-up in the past three seasons.
In 2023 and 2024, they took huge leads that allowed City to win the title.
But Arteta knows that a win against City this weekend will make Arsenal virtually unassailable.
“If we win at this stage we can get a little closer,” he said.
“We have six games left, obviously very important games for both teams.
“The balance will tip a little bit, but it’s very difficult for anyone to win games in the Premier League.”
Arsenal ‘prepared to win’ against Man City
Arteta has challenged Arsenal to learn from their defeat to City in the League Cup and challenge them to a rematch with even higher stakes.
“I need to use the pain I felt after the game in the right way on Sunday,” he said. “Just to learn from that game and learn what I want to change for the next game.”
Arteta did not deny reports that a fire broke out at the club’s training ground this week as a motivational ploy after telling his team to play with “pure fire” against Sporting.
“Every game we use different themes to try to prepare for the game in the best possible way. It depends on what we do,” he said.
“The best thing is the initiative of the players. That’s what I love the most.”
Arsenal are without a win in their last 10 league games at the Etihad Stadium, losing seven of those, but that run dates back to 2015.
Arteta has dismissed suggestions he could demand a draw from Arsenal to maintain a six-point lead over City.
“We prepare to win every game. That’s why we’re where we are and we’re going to continue to do the same,” he said.
