Arsenal wanted to provoke Manchester City into a war during last weekend's Premier League clash but the champions are ready for the challenge, City manager Pep Guardiola said on Friday.
Manchester City midfielder Rodri will miss the rest of the season with a serious knee injury, dealing a huge blow to their hopes of winning a fifth straight Premier League title.
Sterling marked his maiden Arsenal start following his transfer deadline day move from Chelsea with a second-half strike in the third-round tie at the Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta stood by Arsenal's defensive tactics in their explosive Premier League clash with Manchester City, saying he would have been "thick" not to learn from previous clashes.
But for much of Pep Guardiola's time in charge of City, it was Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool who were consistently their title rivals.
John Stones' 98th minute equaliser salvaged a 2-2 draw for Manchester City against 10-man Arsenal in a bad-tempered clash between the two favourites for the Premier League title on Sunday.
Spaniard Raya dived low to his right to beat out Mateo Retegui's spot kick in the 51st minute then sprang across his goal to claw away the forward's follow up header.
Arsenal players are unfazed by Manchester City striker Erling Haaland's goal-scoring rampage, midfielder Jorginho said vouching for the Gunners' confidence ahead of Sunday's Premier League clash with City.
The Gunners shrugged off the absence of key midfielders Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard to remain undefeated this season and close within two points of leaders Manchester City.
Arsenal's Premier League title hopes suffered a massive blow as Aston Villa struck twice in the closing stages to boost their top four bid with a dramatic 2-0 win at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Pep Guardiola said Manchester City are in a privileged position to be fighting to defend a treble of trophies after beating Luton 5-1 to go top of the Premier League on Saturday.
As the title race approaches its final stretch, leaders Arsenal face a potentially decisive reunion with their former boss Unai Emery.
The former Tottenham striker enjoyed a prolific record in north London derbies and a summer change of scenery made no difference.
Tuchel's team are on the brink of surrendering the German title for the first time in 12 years after a brutal domestic campaign.
The super computers and number crunchers still don't fancy Arsenal's chances of winning a compelling three-way Premier League title race despite, on current form, the London club being the best team in England.
"We're all buzzing, we know the win takes us back on top. We're building momentum," said Saka.
"I've been in the tunnel playing in a different shirt and looking at the Invincibles, You had a feeling 'tonight is going to be really tough'. Hopefully we can create that," Arteta said
Alexis Mac Allister fired Liverpool back to the top of the Premier League as the Argentine's "wonder goal" inspired a tense 3-1 win against lowly Sheffield United on Thursday.
Mikel Arteta praised his bit-part players after they helped take Arsenal back to the top of the Premier League with a 2-0 victory over Luton Town on Wednesday.