Arsenal brace for desperate City onslaught

Arsene Wenger is bracing for an all-out offensive by Roberto Mancini's Manchester City whose title hopes hang by a thread as they travel to Emirates Stadium on Sunday for what Arsenal skipper Robin van Persie considers to be the "biggest match of the season".

Premier League leaders Manchester United could be eight points clear should they beat relegation-threatened QPR at Old Trafford, before the two rivals kick-off.

Mancini conceded that defeat at Arsenal, coupled with a United victory over QPR, would effectively condemn City to the runners-up spot.

The last two Premier League encounters between the sides at Emirates Stadium have both ended in goalless draws, while in November City edged past a mixed Arsenal side 1-0 in the Carling Cup.

Wenger, though, is not expecting City to be overly cautious in an attempt to remain undefeated.

"Manchester City could be eight points behind United at the start of the game. We will be in a situation where we want to win the game, so it promises to be a very offensive match," Wenger told Arsenal Player.

"In recent seasons, Manchester City came to Arsenal playing for the draw and I feel that this time both teams will go for the win.

"Manchester City are in a position as well where one point is not good enough and that is why it will be a very exciting game.

"It is a match where everybody will give absolutely everything."

Arsenal, who have their own Champions League ambitions to satisfy, were beaten at QPR ending their run of seven league wins.

But Mancini considers this to be a minor blip and believes they will need to be at their best to win and keep the pressure on United.

Mancini said: "It was a surprise for me, I didn't think this - Arsenal played the last seven games and they won all that they played. QPR probably did a good game.

"Sunday for us will be a difficult game, playing against a top squad like Arsenal.

"But we should play our game, we should play well, not like against Sunderland. If we play better we can do well."

Arsenal slipped a point behind Tottenham in the race for third after their 0-0 draw against Sunderland on Saturday.

Wenger has also challenged his side to prove their consistency and is confident of bouncing back from their 2-1 defeat at QPR.

"We have been consistent in the last two months and if we maintain that consistency there will not be many twists and turns," the Arsenal manager said.

"You never know how easy a programme is in this Premier League because if you look at the last two months we won at Liverpool and Everton, and then lost at QPR. That was not really predictable, so it is still difficult to predict."

Wenger added: "I am convinced we can finish third, like Tottenham are convinced they can do it. That is normal because we are at the same level of points.

"Manchester City have good potential and I believe personally that we are a different team now.

"We are more stable and it is a good opportunity to show it."

Gunners skipper Robin van Persie echoed Wenger's call for the team to concentrate on their own jobs rather than worry about City.

"We are well prepared, because you have to know your stuff about the opposition, but in the end it's about your own performance that will hopefully make the difference," Van Persie wrote in his programme notes for Sunday's match at Emirates Stadium.

"I am confident that we can get a good result - we have to get three points, a draw is not that good for either of us, so it should be a great game."

"Facing City this afternoon is without doubt our biggest game of the season. Because the difference between success and failure is so vitally important to both teams," Van Persie stated in his column in The Sun.
 
He noted that automatic qualification for the Champions League next season and being the pride of London even if the title goes to Manchester is what motivates the Gunners.
 
"Today’s game is also the perfect challenge for us after losing against QPR last week," he added.
 
"I don’t think today will be a scrap. This will be football at its best — two excellent teams who like to play the game the right way."

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