LONDON: Arsenal star midfielder Mikel Arteta believes a win over champions Manchester City tomorrow at Etihad Stadium would underline the Gunners' title credentials.

Arsenal are in the midst of a five-game unbeaten run in all competitions, and have conceded just one goal in four Premier League games.

And Arteta (pic) believes if Arsenal can add three more points to their tally this weekend, they can seriously be considered as Premier League contenders.

"It's still too early, whatever happens on Sunday, and I don't think it's going to change anything," he told the club's website.

"But if you get points there, and you win then you make a bit of a statement.

"It's a huge test for us. We've been playing well. We played really good when we went to Liverpool - that's a tough place to get three points but we did it.

"This is another test. City haven't lost at home for a while. We know it's going to be difficult but I'm sure they will be thinking the same thing.

"A win grows the confidence of the team and everyone around it who believes we are as good as anyone in this league. These are good places to show that."

Arteta did express his belief, however, that City will be looking to bounce back from their defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League.

"It can be like, 'Oh now we need a win to put that on the side'," said Arteta.

"To be honest, City created a lot of problems for Real and they went into the last 10 or 15 minutes of the game ahead of them at the Bernabeu, which is not easy at all.

"We know how good they are, how good players their players are and how tough they're going to make it for us. At the same time, they will be a bit scared as well."

- mD