Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes a win against Manchester City on Sunday could spark a reversal of fortunes when it comes to the Gunners playing the league’s top sides.
City showed Arsenal no mercy last season when they won 6-3, and the Gunners have managed only one win in 12 league matches against teams that finished in the top-four since the 2012/2013 season.
Arsenal must still play Manchester United and Chelsea at the Emirates before this season is over, and the Frenchman believes that a win against the Sky Blues could change the way Arsenal go about playing the top teams.
“We go into a period now where the confidence is important,” Wenger said.
“We have big games until the end of the season and this can be a decisive game on that front.
“We believe we can win these games because we have done so in the Champions League many times. We just have to play with a bit more freedom.”
Wenger continued: “Is it a self belief? Maybe. We did not perform last year in the top games away from home.
“I believe now we are much more stable and we can do it.
“For many years it was our strength but in the last two years, it is true that it has been a weakness. I think we can rectify it.”
The last time Arsenal won away to City was in October of 2010, and now they face last season’s champions trailing 11 points behind just over halfway into the season.
“We want to win to be as close as possible to City to give ourselves a chance because mathematically we are not in the best position,” Wenger said.
“It (Arsenal’s poor record) is down to quality of performance and the fact we were depleted in some games.
“We missed many chances over there last season, we played with 10 men at the end and had to go forward. History is history and we are going there on Sunday to change history.
“This is a team that can create chances and our defensive performance will be vital.”
