Arsenal's mind games aren't working! Ruben Dias insists he 'doesn't care' about Man City's new rivalry with Gunners as Pep Guardiola's side look to avenge 5-1 loss at Emirates Stadium

Before Liverpool lifted the Premier League title in the 2024-25 campaign for a record-equalling 20th time, City and Arsenal dominated the title race in back-to-back seasons, and on both occasions, Guardiola's side emerged triumphant. However, when it comes to the two clubs' head-to-head meetings in recent years, it is the Gunners who have reigned supreme, including the 1-1 draw at Etihad Stadium and the 5-1 humbling at Emirates last season. 

Ahead of the big-ticket encounter in the Premier League, Dias sent out a fiery message as he told reporters: "To be honest, I don't really care about them. I just care about us. All I have to say is what I know from our side. We play games to win for ourselves. For our families, our people. If other people want to play games because of rivalries or whatever feeds them, then go ahead. Be what you want to be.

"We believe in what we do. And we do it for ourselves, our families, our loved ones, our fans and our club. That's the way to be - and that's how you pull off what we pulled off. That's what we believe in - and nothing is bigger in our minds than knowing we have to be the best version of ourselves. It doesn't matter who we are playing against."

He added: "I wouldn't say it's that we have something to prove, it's more that we want to win. We are very aware of what happened last season, and I feel like, in a way, that's a good fear. You know what I mean? Realising some situations where we were, and now being in this position and starting over, knowing everything we need to do not to get ourselves in those positions again."

City started their campaign with a 4-0 win over Wolves but then lost their next games against Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton and were languishing at the bottom half of the league table before the international break. However, after a morale-boosting 3-0 win over Manchester United and then a victory over Italian champions Napoli in the Champions League, Guardiola's side are up and running.

Following their trip to north London on Sunday, City will next travel to Huddersfield to face the League One side in a Carabao Cup third-round clash on Wednesday.