Roberto Mancini wants City stars to end jinx against Gunners

Roberto Mancini has challenged his Manchester City stars to end the club's woeful run at Arsenal as the Premier League champions fight to hold onto their title.

Mancini's side head to north London knowing they will be 10 points behind leaders Manchester United by the time they kick-off at the Emirates Stadium today if their bitter rivals defeat Liverpool in the day's early match.

City have not won at Arsenal in the league for 37 years and were beaten 1-0 there in their last visit in April.

"To play against Arsenal in London is difficult because they play very, very well," Mancini said. "There have been a lot of years we didn't win there. But we changed many things last year and it is a time to change this."

With an FA Cup replay against Swansea before next weekend's crucial clash against Chelsea, and league games against West Ham and Liverpool this month, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits January could define his side's season.

"We know it is a vital period for us," he said. "We are on a positive run, but we still lack a bit of confidence in some situations. I feel our team will be very dangerous if we have full confidence.

"We are not far from it, but we need another positive result."