Arsenal news: Arsene Wenger praises Manchester City ahead of crunch clash

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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger praised Manchester City GETTY

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger praised Manchester City

Arsene Wenger goes to Manchester City this afternoon after actually praising the club he used to, well, not think too highly of to say the least.

The Gunners boss has often been fiercely critical of the way City can seemingly buy anyone they want, including one or two of Arsenal's best in the past.

But today even Wenger has had to admit: "Yes, they are good!

"I don’t want to take anything away from Manchester City at the moment. They are the top of the league, and they are  top of their group in Europe.

"You have to say they are doing extremely well, and I love to watch top football and every team that tries to play it well."

That, though was that, as the Frenchman then warmed to the challenge of turning over a City side that has been doing that sort of thing to pretty well everyone in Europe so far.

I don’t want to take anything away from Manchester City at the moment

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger

He said: "Look, we have an opportunity to show we can do well against another big team away from home. That’s what we want to do, and I'm sure we will all be focused on that.

"But as well that it is a good opportunity for us to show we can compete (and be better). That’s what we want to do."

Given City's start so far that will be easier said than done, which is why Wenger is looking to the enigmatic Mesut Ozil to have the sort of not so often good day he had at Everton on Arsenal's last day trip.

The German, once Arsenal's record signing, is  stalling  over a new contract at the moment, but Wenger isn't too worried about that. Or, indeed, at the prospect of Alexis Sanchez putting on the sort of show that will tempt City to try again to lure the Chilean up north.

He says: "Ozil is in very good shape at the moment, physically. People speak only about Sanchez but for us Ozil’s performance on Sunday will be very important as well.

"He can be an asset every time we play and he is a guy who can create chances. He relishes this type of game."

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Ozil isn't the only one, though. Wenger is also looking to Aaron Ramsey to continue his progress into becoming the perfect fit in Arsenal's midfield.

The manager says: "He can be a big player for us on Sunday – because, of course, that is what he is for us.

"He is much calmer in the final third. He has always had many opportunities, but he would rush his decision a little bit at times.

"Take a look at his execution for his goal against Swansea. He  would not have taken that goal in that way a few years ago. In such a composed way. He is a lot more mature

"When I say he is more mature I mean he is a lot more reliable, tactically and defensively, than he was a few years ago."

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