“We have to be much better” - Mikel Arteta outlines one key area Arsenal must ‘improve’ to beat Manchester City 

Mikel Arteta has said that Arsenal need to work on the flow of the match against Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday (September 22). He believes that his players haven't done that well this season, which was evident in the goalless draw at Atalanta in their UEFA Champions League opener in midweek.

Speaking to the media, Arteta said that the players need to stick closer on the pitch and be more consistent. He added that the aim will remain at win at City:

"Yes, we want to improve in certain areas, but in order to do that it's important that we have to be much, much better. We never got distances or the right relationships, or put the ball in areas where they really suffer. We need to be a lot more consistent if we want the team to flow. For sure we will prepare to try and win.

"That's been the message already. In order to do that there are going to be things that we have to do much better than against Atalanta. There are some things that we have done exceptionally well and we are going to have to do them again. Because we all know we need a big performance to beat them."

Arsenal are fifth in the Premier League and will move to the top with a win over City.

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Mikel Arteta says Arsenal aware of their challenge at Manchester City

Mikel Arteta has admitted that Arsenal are planning to take the game to Manchester City. He believes that the players are ready for the challenge of taking on the Premier League champions. He said:

"We go to the home of the champions, the team that I think in Premier League history has been the most consistent ever, not only in terms of results but in terms of dominance and consistent top performances.

"This is the challenge. We have to go there and prove that again we've made another step and we can compete."

Mikel Arteta's side have finished second in the last seasons as they seek to end their 21-year league title drought.