Arsenal vs Manchester City team news and predicted line-ups

MANCHESTER CITY will be hoping to put Arsenal to the sword when the two Premier League giants meet at the weekend.

The Gunners dropped to sixth in the table following their recent defeat at West Brom and face a battle to qualify for the Champions League.

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Arsenal and Man City’s probable line-ups

PA:Press Association

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Manchester City beat Arsenal 2-1 in the reverse fixture

Pep Guardiola’s City are all-but out the title race as they sit 12 points behind Chelsea but they know a defeat at the weekend will see Arsenal close the gap between the two sides to just four points.

What is the Arsenal team news?

Arsene Wenger confirmed at a press conference on Thursday that Alexis Sanchez will play against Manchester City on Sunday.
The Chilean had been a doubt because of an ankle injury – but he’s been assessed and is fine to play.
But Wenger does have some injury concerns – the biggest being No 1 goalkeeper Petr Cech out because of a calf injury.
Lucas Perez is also missing, while Santi Cazorla is a long-term concern.
Mesut Ozil came off the bench for Germany in the international break so should be fit to face City.

PA:Press Association

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Mesut Ozil could return to action following injury

What is the Manchester City team news?

Kevin de Bruyne is a doubt with a groin strain whilst Gabriel Jesus and Ilkay Gundogan are sidelined long-term.

Where can I watch it?

The game will be shown live on Sky Sports 1.
Alternatively you can follow all the action with SunSport’s Live Blog.

When is Arsenal vs Manchester City?

The Premier League clash kicks off at 16:00 on Sunday April 2 at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is still undecided about his future

Match facts

• Arsenal have lost just one of 19 previous home Premier League matches against Manchester City (W11 D6).
• Manchester City are looking to the double over Arsenal in a league season for the first time since 1975/76.
• The last seven Premier League meetings between these two sides have produced 27 goals - 3.86 per game, on average.
• Arsene Wenger has won just two of his previous nine competitive meetings with Pep Guardiola (W2 D2 L5), both in the Champions League.
• This is only the second time that Arsenal have found themselves outside the top five in the Premier League as late as April in a season under Arsene Wenger – the other occasion was in April 2006.

PA:Press Association

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Arsene Wenger has beaten Pep Guardiola just twice in nine meetings

• On the day of this game, Arsenal will have spent 1209 days behind Manchester City in the Premier League table since the start of 2011-12. In the six Premier League seasons prior to this (2005-06 to 2010-11) they spent just 246 days behind Man City in the Premier League table.
• Theo Walcott has scored four goals in his last four Premier League games versus Manchester City, but he hasn't scored in the league since December (against City).
• Only Thierry Henry (0.73) has a better goals per game record against Premier League sides from London than Sergio Aguero (0.70) – min. 15 games. The Argentine striker has 37 goals in 53 apps against teams from the capital.

Rex Features

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Pep Guardiola's record playing on a Sunday is not worth shouting about

• These two sides have scored the most goals through substitutes in the Premier League this season – Arsenal (8) and Manchester City (7).
• Pep Guardiola has suffered five league defeats as Manchester City boss this season - he's never lost six in a single league campaign as a manager.
• Manchester City have won just four of their last 15 Premier League matches played on a Sunday (W4 D6 L5).
• If all goals scored after the 85th minute in the Premier League this season were removed, Arsenal would be seven points worse off (more than any other side) and below WBA & Everton in the table (8th).

Form Guide (league)

Arsenal: LLWLL
Man City: DDWWW