Manchester City will be the toughest team which Arsenal faced if we compared to other teams on their schedules this because only Manchester City is the team who Arteta cannot be defeated in the last 5 meetings but regarding the match indeed i don't think playing defensively isn't an option for Arteta because Arsenal under him were never been playing with this style even during this season we can see Arsenal almost be dominate for each matches and playing full attacking
The match with Manchester City is a biggest one for Arsenal in rest of season as they are two direct competitors for the Premier League crown. Arteta and Arsenal don't have to win that match, they need to have a draw, prevent Manchester City to reduce 5 points gap and move on to collect points from other teams.
However, Arsenal will have to meet two other big clubs, Chelsea and Liverpool. Between two matches, I see a match with Liverpool is harder for Arsenal because different than Chelsea, Liverpool are still fighting for top four and they don't play against Arsenal without clear task like Chelsea.
Maybe Arsenal will benefit a little because Manchester City must share their concentration on the Champions League and also the FA Cup. But I'm sure Arsenal will lose points again when they face Manchester City. So in my opinion Arteta has to maintain that two-point gap that is very likely to happen. This means that if you want to keep the chances of winning, Arteta must not let his guard down in every remaining match.
It is a big advantage for Arsenal but Manchester City have enough deep alternative players so that they can manage to begin matches with strong alternative squad if they are suffering from Champions League matches. Arsenal actually do hope Manchester City to go as farthest as possible in Champions League then they can get bigger indirect advantage.
In the impending Arsenal versus Manchester City duel, anticipation bubbles, as Premier League supremacy hangs in the balance. Though Arsenal's past encounters have seen City's dominance, the tide may be turning. With an 8-point buffer, Arsenal stands firm; however, complacency mustn't take hold. A voracious desire for victory is paramount, especially as Haaland awakens the beast within.
City's attention is divided among various leagues, potentially weakening their Premier League focus. This may be Arsenal's moment to strike. Arteta's unrelenting drive could provide the catalyst for an extraordinary upset, etching this match in the annals of football history.