Per Mertesacker insists the Arsenal team are showing plenty of confidence going into this weekend's meeting with Manchester City.
The Gunners take on the reigning Premier League champions at Etihad Stadium on Sunday on the back of two wins and two draws in the league and a 2-1 away win over Montpellier in the Champions League.
It could be seen by many as a daunting task to try and beat City at their home but German defender Mertesacker feels that the Arsenal players are in the type of mood to do so.
"We are convinced that we can stay in the league, at the top, and that's our target for Sunday," he told the London Evening Standard.
"Last year we lost at Man City. It was a very tight game so we will try to do better this time.
"We are in a better shape than last year because we are now in a good shape from the beginning. Maybe we can get more there - we are well prepared now."
