It's too early in the season to call this a "title decider. " However, it could hand an advantage to either team in the race for the league. It's not just about the three points at stake—it's also about confidence and momentum. For Arsenal, victory would strengthen their conviction that this could be their year. On the other hand, a win for City would be a huge boost to Manuel Pellegrini in the wake of intense speculation about his future.
Wenger must also decide whether to go with Theo Walcott or Olivier Giroud as his starting centre-forward. However, it’s possible to compromise and include both by fielding the Englishman on the flank. Predicted Arsenal XI (4-2-3-1): Petr Cech; Hector Bellerin, Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny, Nacho Monreal; Mathieu Flamini, Aaron Ramsey; Theo Walcott, Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez; Olivier Giroud. Manchester CityWhile Arsenal toy with whether or not to include Alexis, Manchester City will surely have no such doubts when it comes to fielding Sergio Aguero. On the defensive side, however, there are some key absentees. City will be without both Pablo Zabaleta and Vincent Kompany, so they will have to hope that Nicolas and Otamendi and Eliaquim Mangala can improve a partnership that has occasionally appeared to lack cohesion.
City have suffered their own problems in the same period. Despite surging to the top of the table in August, they have since stuttered, winning just six of their last 12 league games. They oscillate between devastatingly effective and infuriatingly self-destructive. The Gunners will be encouraged by recent performances against City. Last time out at the Emirates Stadium, they drew 2-2 when really they ought to have won. However, they avenged the injustice in January at the Etihad, emerging as 2-0 winners in what became a pivotal game in Arsenal’s season.
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Predicted Manchester City XI (4-2-3-1): Joe Hart; Bacary Sagna, Nicolas Otamendi, Eliaquim Mangala, Aleksandr Kolarov; Fernandinho, Yaya Toure; Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva, Raheem Sterling; Sergio Aguero. Players to watch Arsenal: Petr CechJames Baylis - AMA/Getty ImagesIn Petr Cech, Arsenal have a player who flourishes on these big occasions.
With both sides renowned for their exciting brand of attacking football, this stands to be an enthralling encounter. This could be the fixture to light up the Christmas period in the Premier League. Date: Monday, December 21Time: 8. 00 p. m. GMT/8. 30 p. ETLocation: Emirates Stadium, LondonTelevision coverage: Sky Sports 1 / Sky Sports 1 HD (U. K. only), NBCSN and NBC Universo (U. S. only)Streaming: Sky Go (U. only)FormArsenalW (3-0) vs. Dinamo ZagrebD (1-1) vs. NorwichW (3-1) vs. SunderlandW (0-3) OlympiakosW (0-2) vs. Aston VillaClive Mason/Getty ImagesManchester CityW (3-1) vs.
Live: Arsenal v Manchester City | Premier League | BT Sport
SouthamptonW (4-1) vs. Hull CityL (2-0) vs. Stoke CityW (4-2) vs. Borussia MonchengladbachW (2-1) vs. SwanseaArsenal endured a difficult November, picking up just two league points and a host of injuries. However, they've recovered to win their last three games and leapfrog City in the table—as well as securing a place in the knockout stages of the Champions League.
A win over Arsenal would be a big boost in his march towards the trophy. Teams NewsArsenalCatherine Ivill - AMA/Getty ImagesWenger’s big selection dilemma surrounds Chilean superstar Alexis Sanchez, who returned to full training in London on Thursday. The temptation to start him must be significant: He’s one of the Arsenal players who tends to rise to the big occasion, and scored in this fixture last year. If he does play, it’s likely to be at the expense of Joel Campbell. In the absence of Santi Cazorla and Francis Coquelin, Mathieu Flamini and Aaron Ramsey will continue their burgeoning partnership in the centre of the park. Flamini will have his work cut out keeping the likes of David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne quiet.
If you look at the results it looks as though the consistency will be the main priority in this league because every week you are surprised by the results. We have really established a good run so for us it’s important to continue that. It is a massive game [on Monday]. When we play at home you want to win because we are ambitious and we feel we have the chance to come out in a strong position after Christmas. Pellegrini is a man under pressure, but he remains unerringly calm. Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola has been linked with his position at the Etihad, per Sid Lowe of the Guardian, but the Chilean’s grace in the face of speculation is something to behold.
He told Sky Sports:Pep Guardiola will work here [in England], I don't know if it is next season here [at City] or at another club. Someday he'll come here, " he said in several national newspapers. And I hope he will have the option to work at Manchester City. I say that because I love this club and I hope, in the future, he can work here also. I am sure he will be very important for the club. For now, however, Pellegrini remains the man in charge for now. If he is to be replaced come the summer, he’ll be determined to go out on a high with a Premier League winners medal in his pocket.
Arsenal vs Man City preview - Premier League - Sky Sports