Arsenal vs Manchester City - Competition: Premier League
Arsenal team currently sit second in the league table, and need a victory to
reduce to two points the gap from league leaders Leicester City. They
are unbeaten in five matches (4-1-0) across all competitions and come
high on confidence, particularly following impressive wins over
Olympiacos and Aston Villa.
Arsene Wenger could name an unchanged side from the one which won last time out. Alexis Sánchez, who was out due to muscle injuries, could return for the game, but he probably won’t be in the starting line-up. Flamini and Ramsey will keep their place in midfield in the continued absence of Coquelin and Cazorla respectively, with Joel Campbell deputising for Sanchez.
Arsene Wenger could name an unchanged side from the one which won last time out. Alexis Sánchez, who was out due to muscle injuries, could return for the game, but he probably won’t be in the starting line-up. Flamini and Ramsey will keep their place in midfield in the continued absence of Coquelin and Cazorla respectively, with Joel Campbell deputising for Sanchez.
Manchester City go into this match a point behind their opponents after
escaped with a 2-1 win over managerless Swansea City last Saturday. They
are on a four-game winless run in away matches in Premier League. That
poor run on the road started with a 4-1 loss at Tottenham and they failed to
score in their next three road trips, 0-0 drawns in the Manchester
derby and at Villa and a 2-0 defeat at Stoke.
The return of star striker Sergio Aguero gives the manager reason for optimism ahead of this trip. Captain Vincent Kompany and right-back Pablo Zabaleta are doubts, but Kevin De Bruyne could return after he was dropped to the bench due to fatigue against Swansea. Pablo Zabaleta, Samir Nasri and Fernando are all out through injury.
Arsenal are unbeaten in their last three league meetings with Man City, notably beating them 2-0 in Manchester in January. The Citizens have won just once on last 18 visits to Emirates Stadium, although only one of the last six at home has been a defeat.
The return of star striker Sergio Aguero gives the manager reason for optimism ahead of this trip. Captain Vincent Kompany and right-back Pablo Zabaleta are doubts, but Kevin De Bruyne could return after he was dropped to the bench due to fatigue against Swansea. Pablo Zabaleta, Samir Nasri and Fernando are all out through injury.
Arsenal are unbeaten in their last three league meetings with Man City, notably beating them 2-0 in Manchester in January. The Citizens have won just once on last 18 visits to Emirates Stadium, although only one of the last six at home has been a defeat.
Probable lineups:
Arsenal: Cech – Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal – Flamini, Ramsey – Walcott, Ozil, Campbell – Giroud.
Man City: Hart – Sagna, Otamendi, Mangala, Kolarov – Fernandinho, Toure – de Bruyne, Silva, Sterling – Aguero (Bony).
Date: 21 December 2015
Time: 20:00 GMT
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London
Time: 20:00 GMT
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London
