'I don't care' - Bukayo Saka hits back at Rodri before Man City vs Arsenal clash

Bukayo Saka has hit back at Rodri's suggestion Arsenal "only wanted a draw" when the sides met at Etihad Stadium back in March.

Going for the title with Manchester City last season, the Gunners earned a share of the spoils at the home of the Sky Blues after beating Pep Guardiola's side in the reverse fixture in North London.

This result marked major progress on the 4-1 loss suffered by Arsenal in similar circumstances during 2022/23, when also vying for the title with City, but Rodri was left unimpressed by the efforts of Mikel Arteta's men.

Speaking after the 0-0 draw in March, the Spanish midfielder insisted the Gunners were content with a point and did not go out to win the game. Setting the record straight on this clam ahead of the latest meeting between the teams this Sunday, Saka said: “Only we know the truth. To be honest, I don’t really care. He added on Rodri's remark. "We know what we believed – we know what we went there to achieve.

“Only we know the real truth. We went to Manchester City to win and we are going to do that again this time. We will be going there to win as well. That is our focus.”

Making clear his side will be going out to take all three points this weekend, Arteta told reporters earlier this week: "For sure we will prepare to try and win, like we did [against Atalanta].

"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 tonight. There are some things that we have done exceptionally well tonight and we are going to have to do them again. Because we all know we need a big performance to beat them.”

READ MORE: Arsenal predicted XI vs Manchester City as Odegaard replacement emerges and Partey decision made

READ MORE: Bukayo Saka reveals Arsenal's Martin Odegaard replacement plan amid Man City criticism

City are expected to be without midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, who suffered an injury scare during a 0-0 draw with Inter Milan earlier this week, which would represent a major blow for the hosts.

Commenting on the Belgian's state on Friday, Guardiola said:“Kevin feels a little better, but not yet. Tomorrow we train and we will see. He could be involved.”