Arsenal could extend the gap between their main title rivals tonight as they host Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners are currently sat in second place in the Premier League with Leicester City topping the table, much to the surprise of all football fans.
However, Arsene Wenger has suggested that the former relegation fighters have a realistic chance of winning the title, and games like tonight have to be won to keep up with them.
Manchester City are just one point below Arsenal so this is a real six-pointer for both sides, but Manuel Pellegrini’s side have looked shaky recently.
Pellegrini does however look to be welcoming back some influential names for tonights fixture, so there is no doubt the Emirates needs to be rocking to ensure victory for the home side.
Team News
Arsenal
Arsene Wenger is hopeful of Alexis Sanchez making a return from injury, the winger has been putting in the work in training all week and feels he’s fit enough to play.
There’s doubt over the availability of in-form star Mesut Ozil, who looked as if he only took part in light training yesterday afternoon.
Meanwhile there could be a place on the bench for Mikel Arteta, who has recovered from a calf problem to give the Gunners another option in central defensive midfield.
Jack Wilshere looks to be the next in line to pop up on the team sheet and reports have suggested the Englishman could feature on Boxing Day’s clash with Southampton.
Arsenal however have still got a list of standout names on the sidelines, with Santi Cazorla, Francis Coquelin, Tomas Rosicky and Danny Welbeck still out.
Welbeck has reportedly suffered a serious injury setback and instead of returning at the opening of the New Year, it looks more likely to be some time in February.
Manchester City
Much like the situation of Alexis, City’s Sergio Aguero has been desperate to make it back in time for tonight’s tie, and it looks likely we could be seeing the Argentinian in the starting line-up.
But the standout name that will miss out on this one is Vincent Kompany, with the captain missing for a while now City have failed to keep a clean sheet.
Also sidelined is right-back Pablo Zabaleta which means we will see former Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna featuring amongst the back four.
The midfield duo of Fernando and Samir Nasri are also sidelined so we can expect to see a very familiar line up of Yaya Toure and Fernandinho at the heart of City’s squad.
Predicted Line Ups
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Cech, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Flamini, Ramsey, Walcott, Ozil, Campbell, Giroud
Man City (4-2-3-1) Hart, Sagna, Mangala, Otamendi, Clichy, Toure, Fernandinho, De Bruyne, Silva, Sterling, Aguero
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