Man City players send message to Arsenal as Mikel Arteta makes Declan Rice prediction

Manchester City players will be hoping to get a good night’s rest ahead of their toughest Premier League game so far this season.

The Blues suffered a defeat to Wolves last weekend but made up for it with a 3-1 win over RB Leipzig in the Champions League in midweek. They travel to the Emirates to take on an Arsenal side who lost to Lens on Tuesday and have a less-than-fit Bukayo Saka to hand.

A win guarantees them top spot in the table while a defeat sees the Gunners leapfrog the champions. City will still be confident of grinding out a result, although Mikel Arteta hopes Rodri’s absence will work to his advantage.

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City players want to send a message to the rest of the Premier League when they take on Arsenal at the weekend. Having returned to winning ways on Wednesday against RB Leipzig, City travel to the Emirates in their toughest assignment of the Premier League season so far.

Last weekend's defeat to Wolves cut their lead at the top of the table to a point, with Arsenal and Tottenham closely behind and just three points separating the top six.

Victory for City at Arsenal would put four points between the sides, with Rico Lewis explaining how the dressing room are keen to put down an early marker in the title race.

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Arteta believes Declan Rice has the ability to take control of the midfield battle in Sunday’s clash with City amid the absence of Rodri.

The Blues midfielder is set to miss the final game of his three-match suspension this weekend following his red card for violent conduct against Nottingham Forest last month. The Spaniard was