Hughes backing new-look City to pass acid test

KOLO Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor will be desperate to prove a point as Arsenal come to Manchester for the second time in a fortnight.

Tomorrow’s Premier League clash between City and the Gunners should reveal just how far the Sky Blues have progressed since their pre-season spending spree of over £100m.

And new City skipper Toure and goalscoring sensation Adebayor, signed from Arsenal in big-money deals during the summer, will be motivated to turn on the style for their new employers, whose last home game against the Gunners in November, 2008, saw them register a convincing 3-0 victory.

Toure has been the rock at the heart of a City defence which has yet to concede a Premier League goal this season.

And Adebayor has scored goals in all three matches as Mark Hughes’ expensively-assembled outfit have collected maximum points.

Tomorrow’s game at Eastlands is a sell-out which is hardly surprising given Arsenal’s reputation for flowing football and ambition to make a concerted push for honours this season.

But City have ambitions of their own - not least to shake up English soccer’s “big four” of the Gunners, Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool.

Manager Hughes is confident City can do just that, declaring: “I think in a short period of time we have done really well to change people's perceptions of us.

“Some see us as a big threat to the so-called big four and we are quite comfortable with that.

"Those clubs have played games at the highest level, week-in, week-out, for years.

“Their expectations, and their ability to deal with those expectations, is something they have been used to for a longer period than we have.

“But, that does not mean to say that we cannot overcome any of those clubs, because we have proved that we can.

"It's only (Manchester) United and Chelsea that have beaten Arsenal in the league since we did late last year. That shows the consistency that Arsenal have and that is what we are aiming to achieve."

Arsenal’s last visit to Manchester, only a fortnight ago, saw them lose 2-1 to arch-rivals United.

But it was a game they should have won with ease.

Arsene Wenger’s slick-passing side led 1–0 at half-time, but individual howlers from goalkeeper Manuel Almunia and midfield man Abou Diaby gave United a lifeline which they grabbed with both hands.

While distraught at seeing his side lose a game they should have won, Wenger must have been delighted with his young side’s ability to mix it with the reigning Premier League champions.

The young Gunners will clearly be a threat this season, but Wenger’s counterpart Hughes is confident City can match them tomorrow.

"We have great respect for what Arsenal can produce when they are in full flow, but they will know that we are a test at home,” he said.

“We were outstanding against them in that 3-0 win last year.

“We have no apprehensions about going up against Arsenal because we know we can compete against them."