Mikel Arteta has insisted that the best way for Arsenal to deal with the challenge of facing Manchester City is to play with confidence.

Arsene Wenger's side travel to the Etihad with an unbeaten record so far this season, and Arteta thinks that a strong performance against the reigning champions would be a serious statement of intent.

The Spanish midfielder told the club's official website: "It's a huge test for us. We've been playing well. We played really good when we went to Liverpool, that's a tough place to get three points but we did it.

"It grows the confidence of the team and everyone around it who believes we are as good as anyone in this league. These are good places to show that.

"It's still too early, whatever happens on Sunday, and I don't think it's going to change anything. But if you get points there, and you win then you make a bit of a statement."

Arteta was made vice captain at the Emirates after a successful debut season in North London, and has enjoyed a deeper role in the Arsenal engine room in the early weeks of this season.