Mikel Arteta has called for Arsenal to change their Premier League losing streak against Manchester City ahead of their clash at the Emirates on Sunday.
Arsenal are without a league win against the treble-winners since 2015 and a defeat tomorrow would extend their losing run to 13 in a row since a draw six years ago.
If leaders City lose in London, it would mark the first time they have been beaten in successive league games since December 2018.
Arteta highlighted that his side have broken winless streaks against other sides and called for his players to do the same against City.
"When I came here I think it was 18 years at Old Trafford, 17 years at Stamford Bridge and we have since done it, so lets change it," Arteta said.
"My only worry is the quality of the opponent and that's unquestionable and on Sunday we have to be at our best for 100 minutes. That’s what we can control and we need to focus.
"In these big games you need big players with talent who make it count. Duels are a big thing in a game which can go one way or another."
Arteta also lauded "top player" Declan Rice who he believes has adapted quickly to life in north London after his summer switch from West Ham.
Rice moved for a reported £105m in July and has featured in all seven league matches for the Gunners, scoring their second in a 3-1 win over Manchester United in September.
Arteta highlighted the midfielder’s attributes which has allowed him to adjust to his new surroundings.
"With Declan, I am extremely pleased. He has the qualities, the presence, the understanding to be a top player for us in his position," Arteta added.
"When you pay that sum of money you hope that they adapt really quickly but I think overall he’s adapted really nicely.
"The league, the opponents, the demands we have here, the player he is for the national team, his previous club as well are all really relevant (reasons he has settled in quickly)."
Erling Haaland failed to score when Arsenal beat City in the Community Shield in August and Arteta believes his defenders have the physicality to nullify the Norwegian’s strengths.
He said: "That game was a while ago and it will be different, they will do different things as well but we are prepared to play to our strengths.
"I think we have enough physicality in the backline to deal with those players (Haaland) and we have to prove it with every action on Sunday."
"What I want is to arrive here in February when we start the Champions League to be in the competitions and that it's close" - Pep Guardiola
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola doubts tomorrow's clash will have a significant impact on who wins the Premier League this season.
Arsenal flourished under former City assistant Mikel Arteta last season but settled up for a runners-up spot as Guardiola's side claimed a third successive top-flight triumph en route to a historic treble.
The Gunners are unbeaten after seven matches of this campaign and lie one point behind City, who are bidding to bounce back from last weekend’s surprise 2-1 defeat at Wolves.
Guardiola, though, insisted this showdown being so early in the season places less of an emphasis on the title race, even if he regards Arsenal as one of their main rivals.
He said: "This will not define a lot. It will be different when they come here at the Etihad (at the end of March) – then it will depend on the situations we are in."
Instead, Guardiola’s main focus in the weeks ahead is on guaranteeing progression from their Champions League group, having started the defence of their crown with wins over Red Star Belgrade and Leipzig.
He said: "We know where we came from with the treble. After that the tendency is to go down. We can play better or worse but in general in the training sessions the focus is there.
"We made an incredible step forward in the Champions League. In this month, the Champions League is the most important thing by far, until February when it starts again.
"What I want is to arrive here in February when we start the Champions League to be in the competitions and that it’s close. To be close to the top of the league and keep the distance short and make the last 10 games in our competition 'let’s do it again’.
"(If you qualify for the Champions League knockout stages) you can focus on the Premier League until it is back again. We made a big step on Wednesday (by beating Leipzig), now we have Arsenal."
Guardiola will be without Rodri this weekend as the midfielder serves the final game of a three-match domestic suspension while John Stones and Kevin de Bruyne remain on the sidelines.
De Bruyne is a long-term absentee after undergoing hamstring surgery but his absence has not unduly troubled City, who have found the back of the net at least once in every league game this season.
Guardiola said: "Since I arrived we scored a lot of goals, a lot. We have this ability with proper strikers, false nines, wingers, different pressing, different build ups. I am delighted with everyone."
