Declan Rice: Arsenal must beat Man City to shake off tag as Premier League title chokers

Declan Rice says Arsenal have to win at Manchester City on Sunday if they want to change perceptions and show they are ready to win the title.

Leaders Arsenal go to the Etihad to face City in a huge game in the race for the Premier League crown.

The Gunners and Liverpool are level on points at the top of the table, with City one point back in a three-way fight to be champions.

Arsenal have suffered eight straight defeats at the Etihad, including a 4-1 loss there in April last season, as City chased them down to win the title.

But Rice believes this Arsenal team has the "steeliness and character" to break that hoodoo and win in the blue half of Manchester for the first time since 2015.

"We have got to go to the Etihad, which is going to be really tough, but if you want to get past that barrier of Arsenal being labelled stuff, you have to go there and win," said Rice.

"We have to show that steeliness and character to prove we can be one of the best teams. There's no doubt that City are the best team in the world at the minute, but we have full confidence and belief as a group, and the manager, that we can get a result."

With 10 games to go, there is a three-way race for the first time in a decade. Arsenal, Liverpool or City could end Easter weekend on top, with Jurgen Klopp's side hosting Brighton at Anfield earlier on Sunday.

Rice insists he is loving the pressure and says he is relishing the run-in.

"I have obviously been in big-pressure situations this season in games where, if we hadn't won we would be slipping away from the teams at the top," said the midfielder.

"You feel that pressure before the games, you know in your mind that you have to go out there and do everything you can to win and get three points.

"I really thrive off those moments, so hopefully we can keep putting ourselves in big-pressure games. That is where you learn the most about yourself, and obviously as a team as well."

Arsenal hope Bukayo Saka will be fit to face City after he withdrew from the England squad due to a minor muscle injury.

The Gunners also hope to have Gabriel available for the trip to the Etihad after he pulled out of the Brazil squad because of an Achilles issue.

Gabriel Martinelli also withdrew from the Brazil squad due to a cut on his foot, but the winger is working hard to be fit in time for Sunday.

City are facing a defensive injury crisis. Goalkeeper Ederson has been out since he injured his thigh against Liverpool on March 10, while John Stones and Kyle Walker limped off while playing for England and are fitness doubts.

Manuel Akanji withdrew from the Switzerland squad to what was described as a minor knock, leaving Pep Guardiola with a potential selection headache.

Stones, Walker and Akanji are all being assessed, with City players due to return to training this afternoon. Reports in Manchester on Thursday morning suggested Walker is a major doubt.

Kevin De Bruyne and Jack Grealish are both back in training and hope to be available, while Matheus Nunes also suffered an injury while away on international duty with Portugal.