Arsenal have never been in a stronger position and in a more buoyant mood than now, when facing a title contender in the English Premier League.

The visit to Manchester City has come at a good time for the Gunners, who are riding on a wave of success and optimism based on their displays in the last three games. Of course, City are a different side, one of the toughest any team will face in the course of the season, and it will also show what this latest Arsene Wenger Arsenal side are really made of.

The result always matters, that is without doubt, but what will matter more is the performance of both teams - one trying to prove they are right up there with the big guns and the other desperate to show the dominance expected of the defending champions.

City have been far from convincing this season, but like all good teams do, they have found a way to get positive results, not counting the Champions League game against Real Madrid of course. That loss, while heartbreaking, should not have too much of an effect as Mancini's experienced side take field against Arsenal Sunday.

But what will worry Mancini is the constant questions surrounding the relationship of the Italian manager with his team. In the pre-match press conference, Mancini was bombarded with questions about Joe Hart and Mario Balotelli.

Mancini had criticized Hart for making comments relating to the side's performance after the Madrid game; but the Italian insisted all was well on that front. Hart is too good a goalkeeper to cause a rift with, and Mancini will know that very well.

Questions on Balotelli, on the other hand, is something that the former Inter Milan manager and player will be used to by now. There were reports of another bust-up after the mercurial Italian striker did not even make it to the squad for Tuesday's Champions League game. However, like with Hart, Mancini denied any problems, saying it had been a tactical decision and nothing else, with the manager adding Balotelli could start the game against the Gunners.

"It is difficult to keep Mario happy if he isn't first choice," Mancini said. "He was upset. This is normal. I don't think any player who doesn't play in the Bernabeu is happy about it.

"Three strikers on the bench would be too much so it could be that sometimes a striker goes to the stand. But after Mario went in the stand in Madrid maybe he can play against Arsenal."

One player who will not feature against Arsenal is Samir Nasri. The former Arsenal playmaker, who left the North London club in acrimonious circumstances, picked up a minor knock against Madrid and has been ruled out for Sunday's English Premier League game.

That will leave one less player for Arsenal fans to boo, with there being no love lost between the Gooners and Nasri. Wenger will not be too worried though about City's situation, instead concentrating on his own team.

There are no new injury worries for the Gunners, and the Frenchman is expected to put out a similar line-up from the Champions League game against Montpellier. Expect Olivier Giroud to start, like he might in most away games this season, with Lukas Podolski and Gervinho making the front three.

The midfield trio of Mikel Arteta, Abou Diaby and Santi Cazorla have been great this season, and it will be crucial for them to take control of the midfield in order for Arsenal to dictate the pace of the game.

Arsenal's backline coped well after the defense came under big pressure from Montpellier in the second half of their Champions League game, and City are sure to pose questions in the match at the Etihad.

Wenger is under no illusions about what the media will make of an Arsenal loss to Manchester City, despite such a strong start to the season; therefore, the Frenchman would have told his players to make a statement and underline the title contenders tag once and for all. After all, even Mancini believes Arsenal are a stronger side this season.

"Arsenal can compete for the title this season," the Italian said. "They are better than last season, even if they lost some good players. Maybe, because of that, there is less pressure on them this season.

"They lost Van Persie and Song, but the players they have brought in have experience and quality."

There is a genuine belief spreading amongst the public of this Arsenal's sides capabilities and there is no better place to make a statement than against the defending champions in their own backyard.

Expected line-ups: Manchester City: Hart, Clichy, Kompany, Lescott, Zabaleta, Garcia, Toure, Milner, Silva, Tevez, Aguero.

Arsenal: Mannone, Gibbs, Vermaelen, Mertesacker, Jenkinson, Arteta, Diaby, Cazorla, Gervinho, Podolski, Giroud.