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The Premier League is back in action this weekend with another high-octane fixture as Arsenal take on an in-form Manchester City outfit at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. The two teams have distinctly different objectives this season and will have to work hard to win this fixture.
Pep Guardiola has made Manchester City a juggernaut in recent weeks and now has a ten-point lead at the top of the Premier League table. The Cityzens have made light work of their difficult run of matches and have thrashed Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, and Everton in recent weeks.
Arsenal, on the other hand, have made progress under Mikel Arteta this season but have plenty of work to do to stand a chance in this fixture. The Gunners are in 10th place in the league table at the moment and will need to overcome their inconsistencies to trouble Manchester City this weekend.
Manchester City edged Arsenal by a 1-0 margin in the reverse fixture between the two teams last year. Both teams have made progress over the past few months and will want to win their battles on the pitch on Sunday.
#5 Kieran Tierney vs Joao Cancelo
Manchester City's well-documented pursuit of a world-class full-back finally seems to have yielded concrete results this season. Joao Cancelo has grown into one of the most impressive full-backs in the Premier League under Pep Guardiola and his versatility makes him a valuable asset to the side.
Arsenal have their own defensive leader in Kieran Tierney and the Gunners' fanbase has been thoroughly impressed with the Scotsman this season. Tierney has played a pivotal role in Arsenal's defensive renaissance under Mikel Arteta and has a point to prove in this match.
Joao Cancelo is likely to play on the right flank in this fixture and will have to be wary of Arsenal's dangerous counter-attacks on Sunday. The Portuguese defender also adds an element of solidity to Manchester City's defensive line and will be tasked with tracking Kieran Tierney's wide runs on the flank.
#4 Bukayo Saka vs Oleksandr Zinchenko
Bukayo Saka has been an absolute revelation for Arsenal this season. The young English prodigy has proved his mettle in the Premier League and can play in a multitude of positions on the pitch.
Saka has shown tremendous improvement under Mikel Arteta over the course of this season and his uncanny ability to pitch in with goals and assists at crucial moments and has won several points for the Gunners in recent weeks. A home game against Manchester City will present Arsenal with a stern challenge and Bukayo Saka will have another chance to step up to the plate against one of the best Premier League's best teams.
Oleksandr Zinchenko is one of Manchester City's most understated stars at the moment and will have to be at his reliable best against Arsenal and Bukayo Saka. The Ukrainian talent has overcome fierce competition to secure his place in Pep Guardiola's team this season and has a statement to make this weekend.
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#3 Raheem Sterling vs Hector Bellerin
Manchester City have been a resurgent force this year and Arsenal will need to play out of their skins to keep the Cityzens' attack at bay. Raheem Sterling is yet to hit his peak this season but has shown glimpses of his best self in recent weeks and will give the Gunners their fair share of problems on Sunday.
With Manchester City in splendid form at the moment, Arsenal's defence will have to be on guard and Hector Bellerin will need to carry his weight in this fixture. The Spaniard can make an impact in the final third but is prone to the occasional blunder and cannot afford to err against the in-form Raheem Sterling.
The Gunners have been a robust outfit under Mikel Arteta but have been prone to defensive lapses this season. Raheem Sterling has the pace and guile to trouble Arsenal's Hector Bellerin and will want to win his battles on the pitch this weekend.
#2 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang vs Ruben Dias
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has endured a difficult campaign this season and has been nowhere near his best. The Arsenal captain has missed several chances in the final third and the Gunners will need their inspirational talisman to come up with a magical performance against Pep Guardiola's side.
Aubameyang has troubled Manchester City in the past and has a good record against the Cityzens. Manchester City have invested in their defence this season, however, and have seen a discernible improvement in their results over the past few weeks.
Ruben Dias, in particular, has been a formidable wall in Pep Guardiola's defensive wall and has added an element of solidity to his side. Arsenal have their work cut out for them this weekend and Aubemayang will need to carry his side in the final third against Manchester City.
#1 Kevin De Bruyne vs Granit Xhaka
Arsenal have been an improved side under Mikel Arteta this season and former captain Granit Xhaka has played a crucial role in the Gunners' midfield. With his teammates yet to find their feet at Arsenal, Granit Xhaka will have to do much of the heavy lifting to nip Manchester City's attacks in the bud.
Pep Guardiola's outfit has been relentless in recent weeks and can now afford the luxury of fielding Kevin De Bruyne in their formidable side. Manchester City are known to dominate the ball and the Arsenal midfield will have to play a disruptive role to stand a chance in this fixture.
De Bruyne has not had his best season so far but has already managed 10 Premier League assists this season. With the Belgian's extraordinary standards and Manchester City's impressive form at the moment, Arsenal's midfielders cannot afford to put a foot wrong on Sunday.
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