• Premier League

'Want-win' for Arsenal, 'must-win' for City - Wenger

Arsenal were stunned by QPR at Loftus Road © PA Photos

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Arsene Wenger stopped short of labelling Sunday's clash with Manchester City a "must-win" for his Arsenal side, but he did pile the pressure on Roberto Mancini's men by stating that it will be "very difficult" for City to win the Premier League title if they do not claim three points.

Wenger saw his Arsenal team lose at QPR last time out to end a seven-game winning streak, a result that he does not expect to harm the confidence of his squad as they pursue a top-three finish.

"In the last eight games we have won seven, so the momentum should still be there," Wenger said on Friday. "[The QPR result] was an interruption and a disappointment.

"We want to come back to our recent level, that means playing well and therefore winning the game. We are in a position now where we want to win our next game and show that it was only an interruption.

"We have a big game in front of us with two teams who want to win so it promises to be a very exciting match."

Wenger knows he must pip London rivals Tottenham and Chelsea if Arsenal are to secure automatic qualification for the Champions League next season. And he predicted Chelsea may suffer in the run-in due to their European exertions, recently booking a two-legged semi-final with Barcelona, in addition to an FA Cup semi-final with Spurs.

The Arsenal boss only wants to focus on his own side, though, and when asked if the weekend visit of City was must-win, Wenger responded by saying it is a "want-win" scenario. The same, however, cannot be said for City - who could fall eight points adrift of rivals United if they lose.

"It won't be over [for City] but it would make things very difficult, yes," Wenger said. "Unfortunately we are not involved in the title race so we'll leave them to sort it out themselves."

Wenger was also asked about Mario Balotelli, after Mancini claimed he would punch the Italian if he was his team-mate.

"I'm not a good boxer!" Wenger quipped. "In this specific case, I don't know the player so it's difficult for me to comment. You care about your own players."

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