Arsene Wenger insists Arsenal have the maturity to “rectify” their record against their top-four rivals when they Manchester City.

The Gunners have only claimed one point from a possible 21 in Manchester, and have only won away at City once in seven attempts.

But Wenger insists their past record will have no bearing on Sunday’s game, and has backed his side to secure a positive result.

"The history will not play a big part in this game. It’s the performance of the day that will play the biggest part and the only important part" Arsene Wenger

“You have many games when you know you will be judged on your potential,” he said. “Manchester City is one of them. Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool are other games that people have a close eye on to judge your potential.

“They have always had good teams but we have won at Manchester United, we have won at Manchester City. The history will not play a big part in this game. It’s the performance of the day that will play the biggest part and the only important part.

“I believe we have consistency. Last year, we did not win the championship only for that reason. We did not perform in the top games away from home. I believe we have the potential now to be much more stable and to show that we can do it.

“For many years [our record in the biggest games] was our strength and in the last two years it is true that it has been a weakness. I think we are mature enough now to rectify it.”

Wenger accepts City will pose a major attacking threat on Sunday, but believes his side have the quality to deal with them.

“From every big game you gain confidence when the result is good,” he said. “Let’s focus on going there and give ourselves a chance to win by putting a great performance in.

“We want to have a good balance between attacking and defending because we know that City attack very well, so it’s important that we do both sides of the game very well.”