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City better to watch than Arsenal - Richards

Micah Richards believes Manchester City play great football © Getty Images

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Micah Richards believes Manchester City have overtaken Arsenal as the most attractive side to watch in the Premier League.

The defender knows it is not easy to replicate the intricate, cultured passing game that has become Arsenal's trademark in recent years - but believes manager Roberto Mancini has done a great job of shaping his current side into one every bit as technical and dangerous as the opponents they will face at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

"Playing like Arsenal is never easy," Richards said, according to The Telegraph. "They have always been known for playing the best football.

"But Mancini has got us playing some great stuff. We believe we play better when we go for the win and I think that's why we've picked up so many points.

"I still think Arsenal are one of the best passing teams. They might not have Fabregas or Nasri but I still think Arsène Wenger has got them playing a certain way or at least trying to.

"But if you are going to pick an exciting team to watch then Manchester City will be up there, even just by the amount of goals we score."

Richards also reiterated that he harbours no hard feelings towards team-mate Mario Balotelli, after a training ground spat between the two in midweek was caught on camera. The 23-year-old believes such incidents are inevitable when so many good players are fighting for places in the team.

"These things happen in training, but we shook hands afterwards," he said. "It shows passion and that's what we've got. That's why there will always be arguments, because we've got 20 or 25 good players and they can't always get a game.

"When people don't play they aren't going to be happy but the spirit has been unbelievable, the best I've had at City.

"We've still got a lot to learn, so every day we're looking to improve but we've come a long way from when Mancini took over. There's been a massive difference, even from last season."

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