Declan Rice was the picture of frustration after Arsenal's 2-1 loss in Lens on Tuesday night. He couldn't quite work out how the Gunners had lost a game that he felt they had "dominated". However, while he was disappointed by his side's first defeat of the season, he was far from despondent. "We're just warming up and getting into our rhythm," he told TNT Sports. "Our focus turns back to the league and it's a massive game on Sunday."
He's certainly not wrong about that latter claim. We may only be seven games into the 2023-24 Premier League campaign but the meeting between last season's top two at the Emirates already feels like a must-win match for the home side.
Arsenal were utterly outclassed in both of their games against City last season and those two defeats played a pivotal role in both the Citizens' initial resurgence and eventual title triumph. So, while the Gunners may have edged City on penalties in the Community Shield in August, the pressure is very much on Mikel Arteta's men to show that they can beat the treble winners when it really counts.
Remember, Arsenal have lost all seven of their Premier League clashes with City since Arteta took over in December 2019. "That is why," former defender William Gallas told Gambling Zone, "they need to demonstrate they can handle the big occasion, show some balls, and show Man City that things will be different this season."
However, while Rice has made a positive start to his time in north London, he also has plenty to prove on Sunday.