Mikel Arteta's stirring final message to Arsenal stars before Man City showdown

Arsenal head to the Etihad on Sunday afternoon, knowing a win over Manchester City would see them put one hand on their first Premier League title for 23 years

Mikel Arteta has delivered a rabble-rousing message to his Arsenal players ahead of their title decider at Manchester City.

Arteta told them to “go for it” as they look to deliver a performance against their biggest rivals which will blow away any lingering doubts.

The Gunners are still six points ahead but City have a game in hand and if Pep Guardiola ’s men win on Sunday and beat Burnley three days later they can knock Arsenal off the top on goal difference.

It will be a huge test of Arsenal’s mentality and determination to win the title having been on top of the Premier League for nearly 200 days.

But Arteta delivered a strong speech and says his final message before they go out onto the pitch will be to tell his stars to believe in themselves.

Gunners boss Arteta said: “Go for it. Let’s be ourselves and go for it, put everything we have on that pitch. Huge belief, huge conviction and go for it because we are more than capable of doing it.”

City boss Guardiola has insisted that if his side lose then the title will be all over and Arsenal will be crowned champions.

However, Arsenal have been wobbling as they lost their last Premier League game to Bournemouth, they lost to City in the Carabao Cup final and also crashed out of the FA Cup.

The Gunners are into the Champions League semi final but they are under the spotlight because if they blow the title from here then it would be a devastating blow for Arteta.

But rather than fear the pressure, Arteta urged his players to embrace it and use it in a positive way.

Arteta added: “One hundred per cent. We are exactly where we want to be and there have been a lot of positive things and I don’t see anything that has to hold you back.

“We are where we want to be in the period where you want to be playing against an opponent that requires the best out of you so it doesn’t get much better than that.”