Fri Sep 20 13:50:02 UTC 2024: ## Arsenal Ready for Title Showdown Against City Despite Grueling Schedule
**London, England -** Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has assured fans that his squad is prepared for a crucial Premier League clash against reigning champions Manchester City this weekend, despite a demanding schedule that saw them play three away games in six days.
Following a goalless draw against Atalanta in the Champions League on Thursday, Arsenal will travel to the Etihad Stadium to face City, who are currently two points ahead in the league table. Arteta acknowledged the grueling schedule but emphasized that his team has been preparing for this challenge since preseason.
“We’ve been preparing for this since preseason. We knew the schedule and it’s extremely rare to play in these conditions with three massive away games in six days,” he said. “But we have prepared for that, both physically, mentally, and tactically.”
Despite the demanding schedule, Arsenal have a recent edge over City, having gone unbeaten in their last three meetings. Their last win over City came in April 2023, and they are confident of repeating that feat.
However, Arsenal will be without captain Martin Ødegaard who remains sidelined with an ankle injury sustained on international duty. The midfielder’s return date remains uncertain.
“We need to see the development in the next week or so, how the ankle reacts first of all, and then the staff will give me an update on the time frame and how long he’ll be out for,” said Arteta.
Despite the injury and fatigue, Arteta remains optimistic about Arsenal’s chances. “We go to the home of the champions, the team that I think in Premier League history has been the most consistent ever,” he said. “This is the challenge. We have to go there and prove that again we’ve made another step and we can compete.”
The match will be a crucial test for both sides, with the winner taking control of the early season title race.
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