Vincent Kompany believes Manchester City's defeat to Arsenal will spur them on to perform better in the potential title decider against Chelsea.
The Premier League champions were beaten for the first time in 15 games as Arsene Wenger's side won 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
It means City, who drew level with Chelsea at the top of the table two games prior, now go into their meeting on Jan. 31 five points behind Jose Mourinho's league leaders.
But City captain Kompany said he is encouraged by their predicament, explaining: "In theory it should be better for us now because we will be fired up for that more, definitely. We have always been great in games like this so I'm actually looking forward to it.
"We are always liable to kick off a massive run and that's the kind of club that we are. Maybe this run has stopped, but the next one should be coming soon hopefully."
Kompany made his first appearance since Dec. 13 in the Arsenal game, but said he was impressed by how his teammates fared in his absence.
Yaya Toure and Samir Nasri will not be available for the Chelsea game, but Kompany claims to be heartened by their results when key players are missing.
He added: "I've seen the same desire as what I have seen year in, year out and that will never change. We have been without Kun [Sergio Aguero], myself, Yaya and David Silva for a long period of time and yet we are still here five points behind Chelsea. If you had said that to us a month ago we would have said, yes we will take it. It's good and its highs and lows, that's what it's all about."
New signing Wilfried Bony, who is at the African Cup of Nations, will not be eligible to face Chelsea but Kompany is pleased by the arrival of the 25 million-pound striker, who scored three goals in two games against City as a Swansea player.
He said: "I rate him, I really do. I quite enjoyed facing him in matches, but I will face him in training more now."
Kompany conceded the penalty for Arsenal's opening goal, when he was adjudged to have fouled Nacho Monreal.
He added: "I've said my bit on the pitch and I don't want to go further."