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Manchester City star Manuel Akanji has sent a strong message to Arsenal, saying his team won't settle for second place. The Sky Blues are just behind Mikel Arteta's side in the title race heading into the weekend's blockbuster clash.

City actually dropped points last time out, drawing to Liverpool, and Akanji felt that it wasn't the best showing. «We probably could have done some things better, and we didn't get three points,» he admitted. «But we still have 10 games to play in the league. There are thirty points to grab.»

The big game against Arsenal this Sunday is a possible title decider. City lost to Arsenal in the reverse fixture in October as well as the Community Shield, but Akanji, who works with a mental coach, shared how Pep Guardiola makes sure that the champions stay focused.

He told GQ: «We’re not happy if we finish second in the league or as runner-up in the Champions League. We want to be there, we want to fight for these titles, and he brings that mentality to us.

»I think we're in a good position. We're one point behind Arsenal and Liverpool – we couldn't win [against Liverpool], but it was still a good point. We now have two big home games against Arsenal and [Aston] Villa.

«We're still in the race for three titles, so I think the season has been good – it's not great, but we're on a good path.»

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Akanji also opened up on times during heated matches when things 'boil over' during intense periods, but has praised the dressing room culture at the club, reports the Manchester Evening News. The Swiss international was speaking after