Micah Richards has asserted that Manchester City are up for the Arsenal test in the Premiership on Saturday.

City have fared well at the City of Manchester Stadium, and the England defender is also confident that their fine home form will continue against Arsene Wenger’s side, who are currently second in the table.

The 19-year-old said on the club’s official website: “When we are at home we’ve got 40-odd thousand behind us and we seem to play a lot better.

“The home form’s been incredible really and we’ve not lost at home yet and that’s all down to the fans. They are on our side and I think it makes us play a lot better.”

On the Gunners clash that also happens to be City’s 13th home league game for the season, he said: “It is a big one, a difficult one. We are meeting one of the best teams in Europe, for sure.

“They're playing wonderful football so if we don't defend well we will have a very difficult day. I don't think it will end 0-0, there will be goals, hopefully from us.

“I think the football they play is the best in the league, so it will be a tough game, but the lads are up for it."

He added: “Last season we beat them at home with a penalty and there’s no reason why we can’t go out there and do it again. We’ll be giving 100 per-cent so there’s no reason why we can’t get a result.

“We’ve had a few disappointments lately and Richard Dunne’s kept the confidence going and the team spirit’s still there. The boys are raring to go.”