More than title credentials on the line as City take on Arsenal

LONDON: Manchester City face the acid test of their Premier League title credentials today when they seek to win at Arsenal, something they have not managed for 36 years.

After winning all three festive fixtures, City are level with Manchester United on 41 points at the top of the Premier League, with Arsenal third on 39.

Having not tasted success at the Gunners since 1975 and having lost 3-0 at home to them in October, victory would go a long way to convincing even City’s most pessimistic fans that they are serious contenders to win the league for the first time since 1968.

“It seems ridiculous that we haven’t won there since the 1970s but that has to end sometime,” assistant manager Brian Kidd, who played for both clubs, told City’s website (www.mcfc.co.uk).

“They beat us fair and square in the first game but I wouldn’t change our squad for any other. I don’t fear any team in the league.”

City were up against it in the home match after an early red card for defender Dedryck Boyata who has not played a league game since.

“Now we want to play them with 11 men,” said defender Jerome Boateng.

“I don’t believe in bogey teams or jinxes and things like that I only look to the next game. That City have not won at Arsenal for a long time makes no difference to what might happen tonight.

Mario Balotelli and David Silva, who has been in superb form, are both struggling to make the game because of knee injuries.

Arsene Wenger believes his Arsenal side can prove once and for all they are up for the fight in the English Premier League title race by beating new pretenders Manchester City.

The Frenchman said after the victory over an out-of-form Chelsea over Christmas that his side have toughened up and are in the running to end their five-season wait for a trophy.

And a win over second-placed City will not only lift Arsenal above Roberto Mancini’s men in the Premier League table, but, according to Wenger, show that his claims have substance.

Wenger, who had a mixed festive period with wins over Birmingham and Chelsea and a draw at Wigan, said: “After the Chelsea game the team was on a high because we got that burden out of the way.

“But after we were quickly down again because we dropped two points against Wigan. But I am pleased we were quickly back up again.

“This team could see the positive effect of the Chelsea win. It was there for all to see on Saturday (against Birmingham).

“You can see we have the belief in our game now. That is what will make the title race really interesting,” Wenger added. “We started the season with more personality and authority. We panic less.”