Sergio Aguero
Sergio Aguero is likely to start for Manchester City against Arsenal Getty Images

Arsene Wenger takes his men to the Etihad as Arsenal face Manchester City in the Premier League clash on Sunday.

Where to watch live

Kick-off is at 4pm GMT. Live coverage is on Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports 1 HD. Radio commentary of the game will be available on BBC Radio 5 Live. Catch the highlights of the game on Match of the Day 2 on BBC One and BBC One HD at 10:30pm GMT.

Overview

After enjoying a great run until the festive period, City have dropped four points in the last five matches. This has seen the Premier League champions increase the gap at the top of the table as they trail Chelsea by five points, with a game in hand.

A result in either of those games would help Manuel Pellegrini's side be level on points with the west London club. The game against the Gunners is crucial for the Cityzens as they are aware a defeat on Sunday will help Chelsea take a five-point lead and put pressure on City at the same time.

Alexis Sanchez
Alexis Sanchez is not fatigued, says Arsene Wenger Getty Images

Meanwhile, the Gunners come into this game after losing just one out of their last five matches. Their 2-0 loss to Southampton was their only defeat and Arsene Wenger saw his men display a valiant effort in their 3-0 win over Stoke City.

The Gunners boss would be hoping that the north London club emulate the same performance against City in order to leave the Etihad with three points. Wenger started David Ospina as the goalkeeper after dropping Wojciech Szczesny and the Colombian has kept two clean sheets in the last two games.

The last time these two sides faced each other at the Emirates, Alexis Sanchez stood up and Arsenal settled for a 2-2 draw earlier in the season.

What managers say

Manuel Pellegrini: "I think Alexis is a very good player. He is having a very good season in England. It is not easy for a player in his first season here to score so many goals. Alexis is repeating what he did in the last two seasons at Barcelona and scoring a lot of goals."

Arsene Wenger: "You have many games when you know you will be judged on your potential. Manchester City is one of them. Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool are other games that people have a close eye on to judge your potential. The history will not play a big part in this game. It's the performance of the day that will play the biggest part and the only important part."

Betting odds (888Sport.com)

  • Manchester City to win: 7/9
  • Draw: 56/19
  • Arsenal to win: 38/11

Team form

Manchester City

  • Last five (all competitions): W D W W D
  • Last result: Everton1-1 Manchester City

Arsenal

  • Last five (all competitions): WW L W W
  • Last result: Arsenal 3-0 Stoke City

Team News

Arsene Wenger
Arsene Wenger will be hoping Arsenal win against Manchester City on Sunday Getty

Manchester City

  • Injured: Samir Nasri (calf)
  • Doubtful: Edin Dzeko (thigh)
  • Suspended: N/A

Possible XI: Hart; Zabaleta, Demichelis, Kompany, Clichy; Fernando, Fernandinho; Navas, Silva, Milner; Aguero.

Arsenal

  • Injured: Mathieu Debuchy (shoulder), Mikel Arteta (ankle), Danny Welbeck (thigh), Jack Wilshere (ankle).
  • Doubtful: N/A
  • Suspended: N/A

Possible XI: Ospina; Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Flamini, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Rosicky, Cazorla, Sanchez; Giroud.