Arsenal Goalkeeper Vito Mannone Relishing Manchester City Challenge

Thursday, 20th September, 2012

Arsenal goalkeeper Vito Mannone believes that the Gunners’ trip to face Manchester City on Sunday will present them with a "top challenge".

Mannone has looked solid between the sticks for Arsene Wenger’s men, filling in for Poland shot-stopper Wojciech Szczesny and conceding only one goal in three games.

relatedNewsStory Now Mannone is eyeing a good performance at Eastlands when Arsenal return to Premier League action at the weekend and the Italian is under no illusions as to the size of the task the Gunners will face playing the English champions.

"It’s a tough test", Mannone told his club’s official site, before insisting encouragement will be taken from the side’s recent 2-0 win away to Liverpool.

"I thought we were in a good state at Liverpool because we went to a big game in a big stadium and from there we really started our season.

"City are champions so we know we have to go there and prepare properly. We must dictate the game because they are a great team and it will be a top challenge."

Manchester City have had the edge in recent games between the two clubs in Manchester, winning four of the last five meetings.

Mannone can surely expect to be kept busy; the Citizens have scored eleven in those last five meetings on home turf.

Read more: Manchester City v Arsenal Betting Preview