The Gunners hold a six-point advantage over Pep Guardiola's side at the summit ahead of a gigantic clash at Etihad Stadium, although City has a game in hand.

That means if City wins this weekend, it will have an opportunity to go top of the table before Arsenal next plays, given it faces Burnley in its game in hand next Thursday (AEST).

Asked if he would take a draw, Arteta said: "We're not going to spend one second talking about that.

"We prepare every game to win, that's where we are and we're going to continue to do the same.

"I know there are six games to go. Obviously, it's a really important one for both teams and it will incline the balance a little bit. 

"Winning a game in the Premier League is so tough for everybody, so after this one, there will still be difficult matches for all of us, and we'll have to wait and continue whatever happens."

Ahead of Thursday's (AEST) 0-0 UEFA Champions League draw with Sporting CP, which inched Arsenal into the semi-finals as a 1-0 aggregate winner, Arteta said he and his players were "on fire" amid external criticism of their style of play.

Reports on Friday claimed Arteta had taken that phrase a step further by lighting an actual fire during a training session.

Arteta did not deny the stunt, saying: "Every game, we use different themes to try to prepare in the best possible way and that depends on what we do. The best ones are the players' initiatives. Those are the ones I love the most."

But the Arsenal boss has a major selection dilemma in attack, with Bukayo Saka still absent with a lower leg injury and back-up right winger Noni Madueke also a doubt.

"Bukayo is out, that's for sure. The rest, let's see," Arteta said. "We have another training session. [Madueke] didn't look that bad after the game, and he was quite positive.

"He's a player who pushes through pain, so I'm hopeful that he can be available, but we have to wait and see if he's able to train [on Saturday]."