After a maximum nine point haul over Christmas and with the leading five clubs having put a little daylight between themselves and the chasing pack, City have never been in such a strong New Year position since the Premier League’s inception.
Success at the Emirates would add some icing to a cake that is already looking scrumptious to Blues fans.
And the supporters know that their favourites will not be carrying trepedation in the kitbag as they head for North London.
“Arsenal’s players have played many years together at their club and you can see that on the pitch in the way that they move for one another. It is a difficult game for us but it will be difficult for them too,” reckoned defender Jerome Boateng.
“When we played them here earlier in the season I don’t think we were any worse than them and we had only ten men for most of the game. Now we want to play them with eleven.
“I don’t believe in bogey teams or jinxes and things like that I only look to the next game. That City has not won in Arsenal for a long time makes no difference to what might happen on Wednesday night.
“We must just work hard together to make sure we continue our winning run. It is true we have played better at away from home sometimes. I don’t know why.
“I think if you look at the home game with Arsenal in the first half each team had six chances to score. In the second half it was difficult because they made their extra man count by moving us around the pitch and we became tired. We are looking forward to the game.”
Assistant boss Brian Kidd, who played for City and the Gunners in a distinguished career, is also relishing the task ahead.
“The lads are focussed there is no doubt about that,” he stressed.
“All games are big. It is another three points up for grabs just the same as Blackpool. They beat us fair and square in the first game but I repeat that I wouldn’t change our squad for any other. I don’t fear any team in the league.
“It seems ridiculous that we haven’t won there since the 1970s but that has to end sometime.”
City will assess three key injuries before they travel. A bone spur and bruised heel is bothering Emmanuel Adebayor and knee knocks for Mario Balotelli and David Silva have put question marks against their participation.
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