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With Premier League leaders Arsenal travelling to Manchester City, still most pundits’ tip for the title come May, the Saturday lunchtime kick-off promises to be thoroughly entertaining game that could put a real swing for one side in the race to be champions.
But who has the superior first XI between the two pretenders to the crown? Squawka picks out a combined XI between the two sides to build a really formidable squad that could challenge any team in the world…
Goalkeeper: Wojciech Szczesny
Szczesny has upped his game remarkably this season after an erratic 2012/13 campaign and has made himself the undisputed No.1 inbetween the sticks for Arsenal.
The Pole has made 3.18 saves per goal conceded this campaign, averaging 0.73 goals per game, while his distribution success is an admirable 68%. City can only wish they had such an easy choice to tend goal for them.
Right-Back: Pablo Zabaleta
Zabaleta is potentially one of the most underrated players in teh Premier League currently and is one of the first names on the team-sheet these days, such is the consistency of his performances.
He has won a mightily impressive 42 tackles and made four assists from his position at right-back, coming from 12 chances created for his in-form strikers.
Centre-Back: Per Mertesacker
The Gentle Giant has formed a brilliant axis with Laurent Koscielny at the heart of the Arsenal defence, providing them with possibly their best central defensive partnership since the halcyon days of Tony Adams and Martin Keown.
The towering German has won 32 headers at a success rate of 67% and made 62 clearances to keep the Gunners’ goals against tally down.
Centre-Back: Laurent Koscielny
After a nightmare opening game of the season, Koscielny has bounced back to become one of the finest centre-backs in Europe currently.
He barely seems to have to tackle due to his positional excellence, as shown by 42 interceptions this season, while he has also made a massive 90 clearances. City must wish they had such an option to make the absence of Vincent Kompany easier to bear.
Left-Back: Keiran Gibbs
Gibbs just edges out Gail Clichy on the left hand side of defence, having overcome his injury troubles to hold down a regular role in the Arsenal first XI and keep Nacho Monreal keeping the bench warm.
He has made an impressive 32 interceptions and created five chances for his team-mates as Arsenal have enjoyed a near perfect start to the season.
Central Midfield: Aaron Ramsey
After so many wrote him off following seasons of indifference, Ramsey has answered his critics with aplomb, already more than doubling the amount of goals he had scored in his entire Arsenal career prior to this season.
Eight goals in the league alone is a fantastic return for the Welshman who has finally found his groove at the Emirates, boasting a shot accuracy of 73%, while five assists from 22 chances created shows he is the perfect team player as well.
Central Midfield: Yaya Toure
The Ivorian behemoth has rediscovered his sparkle at City after a lack-lustre second season with the club, proving to be the driving force for the Citizens, especially at home.
He has netted seven times this season having become something of a free-kick specialist, while has also claims three assists and a passing accuracy of 91%.
Attacking Midfield: Mesut Ozil
His signing came with some huge fanfare and it has proved very much justified as he has taken to the English game like a duck to water.
The German midfielder has been involved in ten goals for the Gunners this season, scoring four (hitting the target 81% of the time) and leading the assists charts with six to prove Arsenal are real title contenders.
Attacking Midfield: David Silva
Silva trailed off slightly towards the end of last season, but the diminutive Spaniard is back to his best, despite picking up a few injuries.
In just seven appearances for City this campaign, Silva has created 27 chances meaning he creates a chance for his team-mates once every 21 minutes. Outstanding.
Attacking Midfield: Samir Nasri
Operating on the other flank is Samir Nasri, who has rediscovered his love for the game after going very stagnant as Roberto Mancini’s time in charge at the Etihad drew to a close.
Nasri has created a 31 chances, scored four goals and completed 77% of his attempted take-ons, beating his man 27 times to make himself integral to new manager Manuel Pellegrini’s plans. Arsenal must be kicking themselves that they let him go in this form.
Striker: Sergio Aguero
Aguero is currently regarded as one of the best forwards in world football, and despite worthy competition from Negredo and Giroud, it is a no-brainer for him to lead the line in this combined XI.
Aguero has scored 12 times already this season with a conversion rate of 24%, while he has also created 23 chances as part of City’s well-oiled attacking machine.The Pole has made 3.18 saves per goal conceded this campaign, averaging 0.73 goals per game, while his distribution success is an admirable 68%. City can only wish they had such an easy choice to tend goal for them.
