Manchester City will be looking to equal a Premier League winning record when they take on Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
After winning each of their opening six top-flight games, the Citizens saw their 100% start come to an end last weekend when they suffered a 2-1 defeat away against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Pep Guardiola's side returned to winning ways on Wednesday when they beat RB Leipzig 3-1 in the Champions League group stage, and the treble winners are seeking to enter the international break on a high with a statement victory over last season's title challengers Arsenal.
Man City have had plenty of success against the Gunners in recent years, winning each of their last 12 Premier League meetings by an aggregate score of 33-5; this run is Arsenal's longest ever without a league victory against a single opponent.
Should the Citizens claim maximum points against Arsenal, they would equal a Premier League record for the longest winning run against an opponent.
Such a feat would match the 13-game winning streak rivals Manchester United put together against Wigan Athletic between 2005 and 2011, as well as their own record run against West Bromwich Albion (also 13 successive wins) between 2012 and 2018.
Man City could also extend Arsenal's unwanted run without a clean sheet in this fixture if they find the net on Sunday; the Gunners have conceded in each of their last 16 meetings with the Citizens which is their longest run without a clean sheet against an opponent since a streak of 30 against Man United between 1953 and 1968.
Guardiola has been impressed with Arsenal's summer recruitment and their transformation in recent years under manager Mikel Arteta – a former assistant of the Catalan boss at Man City.
"Arsenal is back. When I arrived Arsenal was not there, but now they are there," Guardiola said at a press conference on Friday. "The recruitment they have done is exceptional.
"I don't know (if Arsenal are stronger this season) because I'm not in the locker room and I don't talk to them. I know [Oleksandr Zinchenko] and I know [Gabriel] Jesus, but the rest I don't know but they are still there.
"The recruitment they have done is top, exceptional level of players. The keeper (David Raya), [Kai] Havertz, [Declan] Rice. They are a good team."
Discussing the importance of Sunday's showdown with the Gunners, who have not lost any of their last eight league games, Guardiola added: "Play it down, the second leg against Arsenal when they come here it'll be different with a lot on the line.
"What I want is to arrive in February qualified for Champions League knock out stages to be close in the competition, close to top of the league, the distance short and have the last 10 games in our competition: 'let's go again'.
Man City, who lost to Arsenal on penalties in the Community Shield in August, have not lost back-to-back Premier League games for five years, and Guardiola has commended the work of his players and staff during this dominant period in the top flight.
"When this happens it shows how well we have done. The last time was in 2018? This is incredible," said Guardiola. "This is a sign that we are in a good path." The City boss jokingly added: "Is it because of a good team? The manager is so good."
Man City, who will be without John Stones and Rodri this weekend, currently sit top of the table and just one point ahead of Arsenal in third, but Guardiola's side could be knocked off the perch at the summit before entering Sunday's match if second-placed Tottenham Hotspur beat Luton Town on Saturday lunchtime. body check tags ::
