Zabaleta: City defence can handle Gunners

Pablo Zabaleta is convinced Manchester City are defensively tough enough as Pep Guardiola’s men prepare to face Arsenal in a top-four battle this weekend.

City’s back line has proved their weak link on several occasions this season and they came in for strong criticism after last weekend’s heavy loss at Leicester. They responded with an improved display, and a confidence-boosting first clean sheet in nine attempts, in a 2-0 win over Watford on Wednesday.

Right-back Zabaleta said: “We have been talking the last few days that we needed to improve defensively. We kept a clean sheet, we were solid at the back and that is a big difference.