Manchester City vs Arsenal: 3 players who could be important to Mikel Arteta | Premier League 2019-20

Manchester City host Arsenal in an important Premier League fixture. It seems like the title race is virtually settled, with Liverpool steaming ahead. But for Manchester City, they must avoid losing points just in case Liverpool go on a bad run of form and also to prevent Leicester from edging closer.

As for Arsenal, this will be Mikel Arteta's return to the Etihad Stadium since leaving to take on the Arsenal vacancy before the new year. While this is bound to be a sentimental fixture for the Spanish coach, he will want to return to Manchester and pick up all three points.

The Gunners got lucky in their recent Premier League match against Bournemouth, with Alexandre Lacazette scoring a late goal, made even later by a four-minute VAR check. In the end, the goal stood and Arsenal picked up all three points.

Facing the champions is never an easy task but Arteta will be hoping for a convincing performance and at this stage, he would probably accept a draw. Although, he'll be aware that this is his side's game-in-hand and with Tottenham failing to pick up the win against Burnley, this is the perfect opportunity to clear some ground between the two.

With that being said, here are three players which Mikel Arteta will rely on being in top form...

---

#1 Bernd Leno

Bernd Leno is always the most important player on the pitch for Arsenal.

Bernd Leno is the saving grace at Arsenal and while it's never good to see a goalkeeper forced to work, Leno is exceptional at what he does and he doesn't get the recognition he deserves.

Leno uses his frame well and he is very athletic to prevent shots from rippling his net. This will be particularly important against Manchester City as everyone knows how they like to dominate the attack at home.

Leno was exceptional against West Ham most recently and he was pivotal in keeping the Gunners in the game. If Arsenal find themselves going a goal or two ahead, which is what Arteta will plan to do, then Leno will be important in keeping the clean sheet.

#2 Bukayo Saka

Bukayo Saka has been Arsenal's breakthrough player this season.

With the injuries to Kieran Tierney and Sead Kolasinac, Bukayo Saka has stepped up well in an unnatural position. He is primarily a winger but he has done well to fill the void at left-back to cover any injuries.

However, this could just be his most important match for Arsenal yet. Saka will likely come up against Riyad Mahrez who is in great form so he will need to remain defensively disciplined. A lot of times this season, Saka has relied on Granit Xhaka to cover when pushing forward but he may need to do this less on Wednesday night.

Saka is an exceptional player and his progress has been phenomenal this season. However, the level of opposition in recent matches has been fairly minimal so playing against the champions of England will be the real test. Still, Mikel Arteta will be in the perfect position to rile Saka up for the big occasion and also give him tips on how to defend against Pep Guardiola's side.

#3 Alexandre Lacazette

Alexandre Lacazette will hope to continue his goalscoring form.

Alexandre Lacazette seems to be Arsenal's man for the big occasion, alongside his partner Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, of course.

The Frenchman went through a dry patch where many were questioning his worth in the starting eleven. However, he has recently hit back at those critics with a good run of goalscoring form. For context, Lacazette has scored three goals and provided an assist in his last four games.

Lacazette has scored against Manchester City before and he will be hoping to score against them again. After getting the all-important goal against Bournemouth in the last Premier League match, he will head into this fixture with plenty of confidence, which his side desperately needs as they are underdogs.

Lacazette is a striker that prides himself on the ability to find pockets of space at the right time. It's how he scores plenty of goals and if he can get into space, then the likes of Mesut Ozil and Bukayo Saka will have plenty of fun feeding him. He just needs to continue his good form.