Kompany: We're hungrier than ever

Posted Thursday, December 15, 2011 by ESPN

Vincent Kompany believes Manchester City will be even more determined to beat Arsenal on Sunday following the end of their unbeaten Barclays Premier League record.

City got Monday's 2-1 defeat at Chelsea out of their system by heading into London for their Christmas party.

On Sunday, Arsene Wenger's men will follow them up the M6 looking to maintain their own recent impressive form, which at the same time would deliver another hefty blow to Roberto Mancini's men, who may have lost top spot to Manchester United by kick-off.

However, whilst Kompany respects the Gunners, he feels the fierce determination within the City squad will ensure the hosts are fully primed for the challenge that awaits.

"Monday has made us feel more hungry," he said.

"We want Sunday to come as quickly as possible and to play football again. That is the kind of team we are.

"In those kinds of moments we react and we are eager to do it on Sunday."

Now a father himself, Kompany's visit to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital this afternoon was a sobering experience.

Whilst the sight of Mario Balotelli, Yaya Toure, David Silva, Sergio Aguero and the other City superstars receiving a strict lists of dos and don't from hospital staff - Balotelli dutifully removed his distinctive cap before being told the demand was a joke - their well-received trip round the hospital was a reminder of how fortunate Kompany and his team-mates all are.

"As a parent, I look upon these kinds of situations in a different way," said the Belgium international.

"I have always felt my charitable work was important but now it has far more meaning."

Once Sunday comes though, the competitive juices will be flowing.

"I definitely have a lot of respect for Arsenal," he said.

"On Sunday, we are looking to do what they have done.

"They have picked themselves up after a difficult month. The way they have done that is absolutely incredible.

"I consider them as a top team, who will make a top game of it.

"But we are a difficult team to beat at home.

"In the big games, even when we didn't win, we still looked like the team that was most likely to win the game.

"There is no reason for us to be arrogant about this fixture. Arsenal are a great team. But we can beat great teams."

After dropping just two points in their opening 11 matches, City have collected only four from the last three.

That the failures to win came at Liverpool and Chelsea indicates there is no reason for concern.

However, Kompany feels the fact that six teams still harbour hopes of finishing champions is a pointer to how hard it will be to win any trophy this term.

"You might have a dream about how your season will go but you don't have a plan," he said.

"Looking at it, our position two points clear at the top means the other teams have done an incredible job as well to keep up with it.

"It just shows there is not going to be an easy way to success this year.

"Our Champions League group was the proof of that, the fact we are playing Manchester United in the FA Cup underlines it even more and after beating Arsenal we now have Liverpool in the Carling Cup semi-final."