Vermaelen expects a tight encounter against Manchester City

13-Jan-2013 4:40:00 PM

The Arsenal defender doesn't think there will be much between the two sides, but feels the Gunners can take encouragement from their 1-0 victory in this fixture last season

Thomas Vermaelen feels Sunday's game against Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium will be a close contest for Arsenal, but feels his side can get the result they need if they play like they did in this fixture last season, when they beat the eventual Premier League champions 1-0.

Arsenal's form has been indifferent this season and they find themselves in sixth place in the league, but if they were to win their next two games in hand, they would be right back in contention for a Champions League spot.

The only problem is, they face Manchester City on Sunday, and that's followed by a tricky away game at Chelsea, with Liverpool coming to the Emirates at the end of January; but the Belgium international is confident they can do well, starting on Sunday against City.

"Looking back at the last few years, it’s always a tight game when they come to Emirates Stadium and I suspect it will be similar on Sunday afternoon", he wrote in Arsenal's official matchday programme.

"We played well against them here last season though, winning 1-0 and having the chances to score three or four, and can also be encouraged by our draw up there a few months ago," he continued.

"They have some great players and are champions for a reason, but we’re confident we can get the result we need to set us up nicely for the next few weeks. A glance at the fixture list shows opponents like Chelsea, Liverpool and Bayern Munich coming up in the next few weeks," he said.

"These are games for fans and players to savour, of course, but we’ll treat each one in the same way. There is a lot to play for, and plenty of reason to be excited."

The two sides drew 1-1 when Arsenal travelled to Manchester earlier in the season, with Laurent Koscielny cancelling out Joleon Lescott's goal with a late equaliser.