Be afraid Arsene it's.. MANCHESTER II; ARSENAL HUGHES WARNS HIS RIVAL.

Byline: DAVID McDONNELL

MARK HUGHES has warned Arsene Wenger to expect another rough afternoon when he and his Arsenal side return to Manchester tomorrow.

Gunners boss Wenger was furious at the robust treatment his players received in their 2-1 defeat at Manchester United a fortnight ago, branding their approach "anti-football".

But Wenger has been told to prepare for similar treatment at Manchester City tomorrow, after Hughes (right) said his players must not allow Arsenal to play their fluid passing game. "Arsenal are outstanding and if you allow them to dictate play and get their tails up, they have the ability to hurt you," said Hughes.

"They have outstanding individual talents within a way of playing that allows them to create chances and if they get it right on the day, then they can really hurt you.

"Ourselves, United and Chelsea are the only British teams to have beaten Arsenal in the past 10 months, which shows the consistency of results they are able to achieve. That's what we're aiming to do. We have great respect for what they can do when they are in full flow. But they know we will be a test, certainly at home, where we were outstanding against them last season when we won 3-0.

"We were very good value for that win, so we go into this game with no apprehension, because we know we can compete against them."

Ambitious and megarich City go into tomorrow's clash at Eastlands with a 100 per cent record this season following wins against Blackburn, Wolves and Portsmouth.

That impressive start, allied to the pounds 250million of Arab money invested in their squad since Hughes took charge, has seen City emerge as genuine contenders for a top four place.

The boss is confident his players can beat any of the Premier League's so-called Big Four clubs on any given day, but admitted it may take time to match their level of consistency.

"We're talking about a short period of time in terms of what we've done," said Hughes.

"So we've done really well in changing people's perceptions to the point where some see us as a real threat to the so-called Big Four.

"We're comfortable with that, but those teams have been playing high-profile games for years and years at a high level, week-in, week-out.

"Their expectations, and their ability to deal with them, is something they've experienced over a longer period than we have.

"That doesn't mean that on any given day we can't overcome those Big Four clubs, because in the past we've proved we can."

Charlie George spills the beans on his colourful career in Tales from the Archive at mirrorfootball.co.uk /archive

CAPTION(S):

HOWLER Rooney celebrates with Carrick after Diaby nets an own to gift United a win over Wenger (right)