Manchester City vs Arsenal, Arteta is optimistic about the Gunners’ mentality

Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta admits that he is optimistic about the mentality of his squad in facing the crucial 2022/2023 Premier League match, against defending champions Manchester City, Wednesday (26/4/2023) or early Thursday WIB.

“Mentality plays a big role. When I saw how the team trained, how they reacted when they turned the game against Southampton, the atmosphere in the locker room, the way they looked after each other in every moment, I saw clearly that the trust was there,” said Mikel Arteta via the club’s official website.

In the last match last weekend, Arsenal drew 3-3 at home to Southampton. The Gunners got up after trailing 1-3 until 87 minutes. The draw was Arsenal’s third in a row.

Arsenal must win at the Etihad to distance themselves from City’s pursuit, which is currently stalking in second place. Arsenal (75) are still 5 points ahead of City (70), but have played two games more than City.

“We will show that mentality again tomorrow. But we will give it at the right moment, a good performance and it will be perfect because that is what the level demands,” Arteta said.

Previously, during the encounter against his mentor Pep Guardiola, Arteta last won over City in the FA Cup in the 2019/2020 season (2-0). After that, Arsenal failed to outperform The Citizen in the last five matches, with the score always losing in five meetings.

Apart from visiting City headquarters, Arsenal still have five Premier League matches remaining this season, namely facing Chelsea (home, 2 May 2023), Newcastle United (away, 7 May 2023), Brighton & Hove Albion (home, 14 May 2023), Nottingham Forest (away, 21 May 2923), and Wolverhampton Wanderers (home, 28 May 2023).

While City still have matches against Arsenal (26 April 2023), Fulham (away, 30 April 2023), West Ham United (home, 3 May 2023), Leed United (home, 7 May 2023), Everton (away, 14 May 2023 ), Chelsea (home (21 May 2023), Brighton (away, time to be determined), and Brentford (away, 28 May 2023).

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