Venue: Emirates Stadium Date: Sunday, 13th January K/O: 16:00
Team News
Arsenal: Olivier Girouds fitness is still in doubt following an injury sustained in last weekends FA Cup draw against Swansea, while Lukasz Fabianski seems likely to be out of action for another 2 weeks. On a positive side, Abou Diaby and Andre Santos could be at Wengers disposal having featured alongside the Under 21s earlier this week. Manchester City: Roberto Mancinis team will be without Maicon (knee injury), Aguero (hamstring), Nasri (suspended), long term casualties Jack Rodwell and Micah Richards. Yaya Toure, his brother Kolo and Abdul Razak are also unavailable having left for the African Cup of Nations - leaving manager Roberto Mancini without some of his key players. On the positive side, Aleksandar Kolarov returns from a groin injury.
Match Preview
The encounter comes as pivotal for both sides where the defending champions currently trail Manchester United by 7 points. Roberto Mancini will be gunning for a win - fully knowing how Sundays midday clash could increase the current margin to 10 points if Manchester United defeat Liverpool. The Italian manager still has a wealth of talent as backup in the likes of Dzeko and Tevez, and City will be aiming for 3 points - having last done so by 3-2 at Highbury in 1975. Having lost only once this season (to Sunderland on Boxing Day), Mancinis side come as a serious opponent in a what could be a defining moment for Arsenal. Undefeated in their last 5 games, Wengers side are in high spirit and will be looking to keep their rhythm. A current tally of 34 points leaves them in 6th position, 18 points behind leader, Manchester United. Theo Walcott seems determined to prove his effectiveness as a central striker and should be starting alongside a fully fit Arsenal first team. The attacking talents in both squads look likely to upset defences in what seems to hold all the ingredients for a classic and eventful encounter for fans and neutrals alike. LAST 5 GAMES (Arsenal):DRAW AWAY Southampton vs Arsenal (1-1) WIN AWAY Arsenal vs Newcastle (7-3) WIN AWAY Wigan vs Arsenal (0-1) WIN AWAY Reading vs Arsenal ( 2-5) WIN HOME Arsenal vs West Brom (2-0) LAST 5 GAMES (Man City):WIN HOME Man City vs Stoke City (3-0) WIN AWAY Norwich vs Man City (3-4) LOSS AWAY Sunderland vs Man City (1-0) WIN HOME Man City vs Reading (1-0) WIN AWAY Newcastle vs Man City (1-3) Likely Line-UpsArsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Arteta, Wilshere, Ramsey, Walcott, Giroud, Cazorla Manchester City: Pantilimon, Zabaleta, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy, Milner, Garcia, Barry, Silva, Dzeko, Tevez source - bbc sport