Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany relaxed about Arsenal clash

Skipper Vincent Kompany does not believe Manchester City have any need to be concerned about in-form Arsenal's visit to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

For virtually the first time this season, the Blues are under a bit of scrutiny, having followed up their Champions League exit by losing in the Premier League for the first time this season, at Chelsea.

By contrast, Arsenal have recovered from their own disastrous start to collect 22 points from their past 24, a surge that has taken them back towards the top four.

Yet Kompany is not nervous. The Belgium international simply concludes that City's performances this term give them every right to be confident.

"Arsenal are a great team. But we can beat great teams," said Kompany.

"On Sunday, we are looking to do what they have done.

"They have picked themselves up after a difficult month. The way they have done that is absolutely incredible.

"I consider them as a top team, who will make a top game of it.

"But we are a difficult team to beat at home.

"In the big games, even when we didn't win, we still looked like the team that was most likely to."

Now a father himself, Kompany's visit to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital yesterday afternoon was a sobering experience.

Whilst the sight of Mario Balotelli, Yaya Toure, David Silva, Sergio Aguero and the other City superstars receiving a strict lists of dos and don't from hospital staff - Balotelli dutifully removed his distinctive cap before being told the demand was a joke - their well-received trip round the hospital was a reminder of how fortunate Kompany and his team-mates all are.

"As a parent, I look upon these kinds of situations in a different way," said the Belgium international.

"I have always felt my charitable work was important but now it has far more meaning."

Once Sunday comes though, the competitive juices will be flowing, with City eager to atone for that reverse at Stamford Bridge.

"Monday has made us feel more hungry," said Kompany.

"We want Sunday to come as quickly as possible and to play football again. That is the kind of team we are.

"In those kinds of moments we react and we are eager to do it on Sunday."

PA