Liverpool are six points ahead of Arsenal going into this weekend's fixtures, with a game in hand. Mikel Arteta's side simply cannot afford to drop more points. A visit from Man City would usually be an absolute nightmare in such circumstances, but as Guardiola's team have fallen so far this season, the hosts will believe more than ever they should beat them. But will they?
Despite being written off as a disastrous season, City are still fourth in the table and can move just three points behind Arsenal with a win this weekend. The league title isn't a realistic proposition anymore but they still have plenty of pride to play for and need to regain some momentum for their two-legged Champions League playoff with Real Madrid. Back-to-back 3-1 wins over Chelsea and Club Brugge show signs they may have turned the corner, but is this yet another false dawn?
Arsenal vs Manchester City Team News
Bukayo Saka is not expected back until April, to the dismay of Arsenal fans. Meanwhile, Gabriel Jesus and Takehiro Tomiyasu are not in any shape to play here. David Raya should return after being deputised by Neto in the Champions League in midweek, but that is not certain as his fitness is in doubt. Ben White could get back into the fold after recovering from a long-term knee issue.
Almost certainly the biggest reason for City's poor season has been the absence of their midfield rock Rodri, who remains out for the season. Jeremy Doku will also be unavailable, while Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake are doubts. On a positive note, young Oscar Bobb has returned to training following a long injury absence and may make the squad for this game.
Arsenal vs Manchester City Possible Lineups
Mikel Arteta could bring in Jorginho to give his team a little more control in the midfield, wary of the dangers that the visitors pose. He will be delighted to be able to call upon left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly after his controversial red card against Wolves was overturned. Ethan Nwaneri continues to impress and should be pushed into the front line, perhaps at the expense of Gabriel Martinelli.
Arsenal Predicted Lineup (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Partey, Jorginho, Rice; Nwaneri, Havertz, Trossard
City new boys Khusanov and Marmoush will surely return to the squad this weekend after being ineligible to play in the 3-1 win over Club Brugge in midweek, but the experience of John Stones could be preferred in the heart of defence. Pep will likely persist with the Matheus Nunes at right-back experiment, which seems to lowly be bearing fruit. He is unlikely to throw young Vitor Reis into the deep waters of a debut away at Arsenal, but it's not impossible.
Manchester City Predicted Lineup (4-3-3): Ederson; Matheus Nunes, Stones, Akanji, Gvardiol; Bernardo Silva, Kovacic, De Bruyne; Foden, Haaland, Marmoush
Be sure to head back to Sporticos an hour before kick-off to get updated official lineups and other stats.
Arsenal vs Manchester City Prediction
It would be so frustrating for everyone at Arsenal to see their team lose to City, given the season Guardiola's team have had, when they cannot afford to drop any more points in their pursuit of Liverpool. For that reason, they will feel much more pressure than the visitors, who are likely coasting to the end of the league season knowing that they will achieve a top-four finish despite being off the boil and that they cannot trouble the title race. City will win away at the Emirates.
Prediction: Arsenal 2 - 1 Man City
The game of the weekend without a doubt. There won't be many neutrals skipping this one.
Fans in the UK can watch Arsenal vs Man City on TV or via live stream on Sky Sports.
