Mikel Arteta has sent a clear message ahead of Arsenal's seismic Premier League clash with Manchester City this Sunday: the Gunners are going to the Etihad to win. Dismissing any notion of a defensive, point-preserving approach, the Arsenal manager stated that playing for a draw hasn't crossed his mind "for one second."

With Arsenal holding a precious six-point lead at the top of the table, this fixture is being billed as a potential title decider. A positive result for Arteta's side would be a monumental step toward ending a 22-year wait for the league crown. However, the challenge couldn't be greater, as they face the reigning champions and a manager, Pep Guardiola, whom Arteta himself described as "the best this league has ever seen."

"We prepare every game to win. That’s why we are where we are," Arteta declared with characteristic intensity. He framed the high-pressure occasion as a privilege, a testament to the progress his young squad has made. "We have earned the right to be in this position... and we’re going to prepare the game to win it, that’s for sure."

This bold declaration comes despite a recent wobble in form. Arsenal have won just once in their last five matches, a run that includes a damaging home defeat to Bournemouth. Compounding their issues is the confirmed absence of star winger Bukayo Saka due to an Achilles injury, a significant blow to their attacking threat.

Meanwhile, Manchester City, fresh off a dominant 3-0 win at Chelsea, have closed the gap and seized the momentum. Guardiola had previously framed this match as a must-win for City's title hopes, adding another layer of drama to an already colossal encounter.

Arteta acknowledged the stakes but kept his focus on the bigger picture. "There are six games to go. It’s a really important one for both teams," he said, recognizing that a victory would "incline the balance" decisively in Arsenal's favor. For a team built on fearless, attacking football, their manager's message is clear: in the biggest game of the season, they will not change their identity. They will play to win.