Pep Guardiola fears a backlash from Arsenal in Wednesday's crunch Premier League title showdown.
Mikel Arteta takes the leaders to the Etihad Stadium on the back of a three-match winless streak and knowing defeat hands the advantage to the defending champions.
Arsenal's largest lead has been eight points but that could be cut to just two, with City still possessing two games in hand.
'I always had the feeling that it would have been so difficult to play them at this stage,' the City manager said. 'But after three games dropping points it will be much, much more difficult now.