da realsbet： This afternoon, Manchester City host Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium hoping they can win for the second time this week, while also dishing out a second defeat to Arsenal in four days.
da roleta： The Citizens overcame Watford in midweek and in doing so recorded only their second clean sheet in 16 games. In beating the Hornets, Pep Guardiola masterminded a Premier League home victory – something that has not been witnessed by the club since September 17th.
The Gunners pose a much more stern challenge than City faced against Watford, as their title rivals’ midweek defeat to Everton was their first league loss since the opening day of the season to Liverpool.
This fixture has been unkind to Pep Guardiola’s side in recent years as City have not beaten the Gunners in any competition since their 6-3 victory in December 2013 (six meetings ago).
For Guardiola to turn this around, he must pick this starting XI…
GK: Claudio Bravo
In midweek against Watford, Bravo had one of his easier nights since his move from Barcelona in August. The Chile international has not settled into life at City too well, but another clean sheet against the Gunners could see his confidence grow.
Solidity is what City demand from Bravo and against Arsenal he must remain a confident figure between the sticks.
RB: Bacary Sagna
Despite scoring in midweek for City, Pablo Zabaleta is unable to contribute to three full games in one week at the age of 31.
In Zabaleta’s absence, former Arsenal right-back Bacary Sagna may step into the Argentine’s shoes and attempt to contain the fluid Gunners attack.
Sagna is arguably the better defender of the duo so Guardiola can have confidence in the French international.
CB: Nicolas Otamendi
Over the past month, the form of Nicolas Otamendi could be described as questionable. The defender continues to disappoint and look anything but worthy of his £30million price-tag.
The Argentine must contain Alexis Sanchez, arguably the league’s best player currently. If Otamendi can do so, then City beating Arsenal becomes a likely outcome.
CB: John Stones
In midweek, Guardiola returned to the 4-1-4-1 formation that proved so successful earlier in the season.
It was this formation that saw John Stones become one of the Premier League’s best defenders and against Arsenal, he must be allowed to flourish and impose his style of play on the match.
LB: Aleksandar Kolarov
There are not many players that divide opinion between supporters more than Aleksandar Kolarov.
The Serbian defender continues to disappoint for Citizens on a regular basis, but Guardiola rarely chooses a starting XI without him involved.
Theo Walcott’s pace could be effective against Kolarov so Guardiola must ensure the experienced ace receives the appropriate cover to contain the England winger.
DM: Fernando
With Fernandinho absent due to suspension, added to Ilkay Gundogan’s knee injury, Fernando’s importance to City’s title pursuit has drastically increased.
The former Porto midfielder has struggled to achieve regular first-team football at City, but with Fernandinho not set to return until next week, he must contain Granit Xhaka and further impress Guardiola ahead of the visit to Hull on Boxing Day.
CM: Yaya Toure
Toure’s role has become more significant following the knee injury picked up by Ilkay Gundogan as the Ivorian must provide the keys to unlocking the Arsenal door in the absence of the German international.
A big game player, it would be no surprise to see the veteran ace have a big impact.
CM: Kevin De Bruyne
After a barren month, De Bruyne was influential in City overcoming Watford in midweek.
The Belgian provided the assist for City’s first goal which took him to eight in the Premier League – the highest in Europe.
De Bruyne was impressive during City’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal in May, and another world-class display is urgently required to bring a halt their title rivals’ challenge.
RM: Raheem Sterling
During the two weeks of Premier League football Raheem Sterling missed due to a knee injury, City struggled to add the required pace to stretch opposition defences.
Against the Hornets in midweek, Sterling was sensational and was City’s main attacking threat.
A question mark surrounds his big game ability, but there’s only one way to silence his doubters…
LM: David Silva
This Sunday’s game will mark five years to the very day since David Silva’s winner secured City a 1-0 victory over Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium.
The Spanish international scored City’s second in midweek as he continues to find the form that has devastated defences since 2010.
If Silva can get the better of Hector Bellerin, City could severely hurt Arsenal’s potential title chances.
ST: Kelechi Iheanacho
The young Nigerian forward was expected to thrive with Sergio Aguero missing through suspension.
However, Guardiola dropped the 20-year-old against Watford and played Nolito as the central striker.
City missed the outlet upfront as Nolito, despite playing well, continued to fall deep instead of holding his line in the 2-0 victory. Iheanacho must start against the Gunners.