Former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas has indicated that a defeat against Manchester City on Sunday would not have a big impact on the Gunners players given how early it is in the season.
Arsenal are preparing to open their Champions League campaign against Atalanta in Bergamo tonight but they have one eye on the Manchester City game on Sunday.
Manchester City have won the last four Premier League titles but Arsenal were their closest challengers in the previous two campaigns.
The reigning champions have won their opening four league games but Arsenal are keen to spoil that 100 percent record when they visit the Etihad this weekend.
Manchester City star Ruben Dias has already fired warning shots at Arsenal but Fabregas feels a bad result won’t faze the Gunners at this stage of the season.
Ex-Arsenal star plays down the importance of the result on Sunday
The former Arsenal midfielder admitted that the result of the game would have been much more season-defining if the game happened in March next year.
However, he indicated that a defeat for Arsenal on Sunday would not affect the players adversely given how early it is in the season and how much football they would still need to play.
“I think you lose this weekend, it doesn’t have a big impact into the mind of the players, you know, going forward into the season, because there is still so many games to play”, Fabregas said on the BBC’s Planet Premier League Podcast.
“Now, you lose this game in March, then that’s a big deal.
“We might see a little difference in terms of approach from the teams.”
Arsenal didn’t lose against Manchester City in the league last season and picked up four points from a possible six.
However, it was not enough as Manchester City won a fourth straight Premier League title while the Gunners again finished second.
