The Gunners visit Etihad Stadium with a six-point advantage over the Citizens, but City has a game in hand over its title rivals.

All the momentum is also with City, which defeated Chelsea 3-0 last weekend while Arsenal lost at home to Bournemouth.

City is unbeaten in its past 14 Premier League home games, since losing 2-0 against Tottenham Hotspur in its opening match at home this term. It has netted at least twice in 12 of these 14 games.

City is also unbeaten in its past 10 Premier League home games against Arsenal, winning seven of those since a 2-0 loss in January 2015 under Manuel Pellegrini.

"Yes, obviously. If we lose, it is over," Guardiola said in his pre-match press conference.

"The other two results, knowing that Arsenal didn't beat Bournemouth – we still have games to play. Six games is a lot and especially in our calendar.

"Everton away, Bournemouth away, Aston Villa the last game at home. Crystal Palace and Brentford. There are still many things to do."

Arsenal has lost its past three matches in domestic competitions, against City in the Carabao Cup final, Southampton in the FA Cup, and Bournemouth in the Premier League.

It most rcently lost four consecutively in February and March 2018, which included defeats to City in both the Carabao Cup final and the Premier League.

Guardiola praised the job Mikel Arteta has done since he took over at the Gunners in 2019, insisting the north London side was in a difficult position at the time.

"The last two or three seasons, he has already had many years there and every season they are getting better and better," Guardiola said of Arteta's work.

"When he took over the club, they had problems and troubles.

"Last season, of course, Liverpool made an incredible three quarters of the season and were unstoppable.

"In the previous one and this season, Arsenal have been the biggest contender."