Ruben Dias Dismisses Arsenal Mind Games Ahead of The Clash

Manchester City defender Ruben Dias has thrown down the gauntlet ahead of Sunday’s blockbuster clash with Arsenal, insisting that the Premier League champions are focused entirely on themselves and unfazed by any psychological tactics from their title rivals.

The build-up to this fixture has been loaded with tension, with the rivalry between the two clubs growing fiercer over the last two seasons. Manchester City edged out Arsenal for the title in both 2023 and 2024, but Mikel Arteta’s men struck back last season with a memorable campaign that included a 5-1 demolition of Pep Guardiola’s side at the Emirates and a gritty 2-2 draw at the Etihad.

Those results have reignited hopes in North London that Arsenal are finally ready to dethrone City, setting the stage for another emotionally charged encounter this weekend.

Speaking ahead of the clash, Dias made it clear that City are refusing to get dragged into any war of words or mind games. “I don’t really care about them. I just care about us,” the Portuguese centre-back said.

“If other people want to play games because of rivalries or whatever feeds them, then go ahead. We believe in what we do. And we do it for ourselves, our families, our fans and our club.”

Dias stressed that City’s mentality remains the same regardless of who they are facing, suggesting that the team’s success is built on staying focused on their own standards. “That’s the way to be, and that’s how you pull off what we pulled off,” he added. “Nothing is bigger in our minds than knowing we have to be the best version of ourselves. It doesn’t matter who we are playing against.”

The comments come as tensions between the two sides continue to simmer. Last season’s meetings were anything but calm, with emotions running high both on and off the pitch. At the Etihad, Erling Haaland was involved in a heated altercation after throwing the ball at Gabriel’s head, later exchanging words with Arsenal youngster Miles Lewis-Skelly.

The incident underscored the competitive edge that now defines this fixture and left fans and pundits debating whether Arsenal had found a way to get under City’s skin.

This weekend’s clash at the Emirates is expected to be another fiercely contested affair, with both sides unbeaten in their opening fixtures and looking to establish early control in the title race. For Arsenal, it represents a chance to prove last season’s results were no fluke and to make a psychological statement against the team that has dominated English football for the better part of a decade.

For City, however, it is about sending a message of their own that, despite Arsenal’s resurgence, they remain the benchmark. Guardiola, who earlier this week described Arsenal as an “unbelievable team,” will be eager for his players to show their champion mentality under pressure.

Dias’s rallying cry encapsulates the City mindset heading into the game: block out the noise, focus on execution, and deliver when it matters most. Sunday’s showdown promises not only high-quality football but also another chapter in a rivalry that has quickly become one of the Premier League’s most compelling storylines.

Kick-off at the Emirates is set for 4:30 PM local time, with millions expected to tune in around the world for what could be an early defining moment in the 2025/26 title race.