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The game of the week on Matchday 25 will see Premier League champions Manchester City welcome Arsenal at the Etihad in a pivotal match for both teams’ ambitions this season.
The Cityzens will have an opportunity to bounce back from their recent shock defeat to Newcastle and put pressure on league leaders Liverpool for 24 hours at least with a victory over Arsenal.
Unai Emery’s side have sneaked into the Premier League top four by virtue of goals scored following Chelsea’s catastrophic loss to Bournemouth on Wednesday.
Although their record over Manchester City is not the best in the last five years, Pep Guardiola’s men are more vulnerable than ever this season.
Here is all you need to know about this match.
Team News
Manchester Captain Vincent Kompany is still out of action with a muscle problem. This will be the eighth successive match that the City skipper will miss.
Benjamin Mendy has suffered a swollen knee on his comeback from injury and is a doubt to be involved in this game.
Sergio Aguero is expected to lead the line after scoring in the opening 24 seconds against Newcastle. He has also scored in seven of his last 10 games against Arsenal.
Arshas have a fully-filled treatment room at the moment. Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Danny Welbeck, Hector Bellerin, Sokratis and Rob Holding are all long-term absentees.
The Gunners captain Laurent Koscielny could feature after recovering from a jaw injury.
Loan signing Denis Suarez could make his debut after joining Arsenal from Barcelona.
Match Facts
Pep Guardiola is unbeaten in 11 matches as manager against Unai Emery. (Won 7, Drawn 4)
Manchester City are seeking a fourth successive top-flight win over Arsenal for the first time in 82 years.
The Gunners are the only Premier League team yet to keep a clean-sheet away from home this season.
Arsenal have not won against a Big Six side in the league away from home in 20 matches. Their last win was a 2-0 victory against Manchester City at the Etihad in January 2015.
Arsenal are winless in their last 5 away top flight matches. Their last victory on the road was on 25th November against Bournemouth.
Predicted Line-ups
Manchester City: Ederson, Walker, Stones, Laporte, Danilo, Fernandinho, David Silva, Bernardo Silva, Sterling, Sane, Aguero.
Arsenal: Leno, Lichsteiner, Mustafi, Monreal, Kolasinac, Xhaka, Guendouzi, Torreira, Ramsey, Aubameyang, Lacazette.
Prediction
Arsenal have been abysmal on the road this season. They have not kept a clean sheet away from home and their last away win was on 25th November.
Those are not the stats you would want to have especially when preparing for an intimidating fixture such as Manchester City away.
Recent history suggests we could witness yet another City win. The Gunners will need no reminding of their last away trip to a top six rival.
They were humiliated at Anfield. Pep Guardiola will look for a similar response from his side after losing in midweek, and he will get one.
Predicted score: Manchester City 3-1 Arsenal
