Man City players targeting Arsenal result to send message to Premier League title rivals

Manchester 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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"It’s a way we can put a stamp on the season and really make sure the rest of the league knows we’re aiming to do the same as last season," Lewis said after his impressive performance at Leipzig.

After back-to-back defeats, Lewis said the reaction within the squad has been a positive one, and the Arsenal showdown will be another motivating factor among the players.

He explained: "Obviously we were a bit unlucky with the results and performances so we were a bit down but it’s never down for too long, there’s always another game and everyone is always up for it.

"I think definitely Arsenal will have been hurt after that [last season]. They did so well last season and unfortunately for them they didn’t come away with the prize but it’s going to push them to be even better which obviously pushes us."

Teammate Phil Foden was equally as excited as Lewis, but warned that Sunday will not win or lose the title for