Arsene Wenger: 'Arsenal can compete with Manchester City'

Arsene Wenger has challenged his Arsenal players to prove their worth by earning a positive result against table-topping Manchester City on Sunday afternoon.

The Citizens have been in scintillating form in the opening months of the campaign, dropping just two points from a possible 30 en route to moving clear at the summit.

Despite the tough task awaiting his side at the Etihad Stadium, Wenger believes that Arsenal - who sit bottom of the top-six mini-league since the start of last season - have what it takes to send out a message.

"We have an opportunity to show we can do well against a big team away from home," he told reporters. "It is one we want to take and I'm sure everyone in our camp will be focused on that.

"They are good, I don't want to take anything away from Manchester City at the moment, they are doing extremely well, they are top of the league and top of the European group stage. As well it is a good opportunity for us to show we can compete with them and that is what we want to show."

City have made the joint-best start of any side in Premier League history in terms of points, while their goal difference of +29 is unmatched at this stage in the season.