Arsenal's Mikel Arteta looking to make a “big statement” against Manchester City

Mikel Arteta

Mikel Arteta has criticised the scheduling programme ahead of this weekend’s crunch showdown with Manchester City, feeling that it has been unfair against Arsenal this week.

The league leaders played out an entertaining draw with Everton on Sunday before flying out to Naples for their defeat in the Champions League on Wednesday and now face a quick turnaround before they travel to Manchester to take on their title rivals in the Saturday lunch-time kick-off.

The Gunners have had mixed fortunes post-Champions League this season, as despite their incredible start to the season, they have dropped five points after midweek ventures into Europe, drawing with West Brom and falling to defeat against Manchester United, while last week’s draw at home to Everton also came after midweek involvement in the league.

And Arteta, who was sent off in Naples as Arsenal snuck through the group stages, feels that playing three games inside seven days is against his side.

The Spaniard told Sky Sports: “I don’t understand why we play Sunday afternoon, then in Naples on Wednesday, getting back to London at four o’clock in the morning and then we are going to play on Saturday morning in Manchester.

“However, there is not much we can do, so we just have to prepare well and be ready for it because they will be ready for us as they rested several players for their European game on Tuesday night.

“However, there can be no excuses, we have to be ready, we want to win there and have to be prepared. We know it can be a big statement if we get a good result there, so that is what we want.”

City on the other hand have an extra day to prepare, having played on Saturday before Tuesday’s comeback success at Bayern Munich, and will be buoyed by that victory over the reigning European champions.

With their record at the Etihad this season being quite incredible this season, including a 6-0 thumping of a previously watertight Tottenham side, any fatigue shown by the Gunners could be exploited to devastating effect, bringing real credence to Arteta’s claims that the scheduling could lead to Arsenal’s downfall.

While fatigue could come into play in the busy Christmas period, the old saying of ‘make the ball do the work’ will be vital to Arsenal shaking off tired legs and threatening the juggernaut that is Manchester City on their own turf.

Arteta has completed 91% of his passes this season and possession-based football will be key, as chasing City’s pacy attackers will only cause further problems should the Gunners be suffering from the exploits of the past week.