Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta won’t waste ‘one second’ planning for draw at Man City

Mikel Arteta insisted it has not crossed his mind for “one second” to play for a draw in Arsenal’s mouthwatering Premier League clash against Manchester City on Sunday.

The Gunners will head to the Etihad guarding a six-point lead over Pep Guardiola’s side, and avoiding defeat could prove pivotal in their quest for a first league title in 22 years.

In a blow to Arsenal, Arteta confirmed on Friday that he will continue to be without Bukyao Saka as he battles an Achilles injury.

Saka’s absence has coincided with an alarming downturn in form for Arsenal, who have won just once across their previous five games.

Their defeat by Bournemouth last weekend has handed the momentum to City, who followed their rivals’ home loss against the Cherries with a thumping 3-0 victory at Chelsea.

But when asked if he could be tempted to play just for a point in Sunday’s top-of-the-table clash – which is being billed as the most significant in recent Premier League history – a defiant Arteta said: “I’m not going to spend one second talking about that.

“We prepare every game to win. That’s why we are where we are and we’re going to continue to do the same.

“We have earned the right to be in this position, to be challenging for the title, and with the possibility to win and the opportunity to win on Sunday, arguably against the best team and the best manager that this league has ever seen.

Advancing.

Wrapping up the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals