Some interesting decisions from both managers. Mikel Arteta prefers Rob Holding and Pablo Mari at centre-back, with Gabriel and David Luiz on the bench. Nicolas Pepe is also in for Emile Smith Rowe.

Pep Guardiola prefers Fernandinho to Rodri, and it looks like Kevin De Bruyne will play as a false nine. Goal machine Ilkay Gundogan is also back from injury.

Arsenal (4-2-3-1) Leno; Bellerin, Holding, Pablo Mari, Tierney; Elneny, Xhaka; Saka, Odegaard, Pepe; Aubameyang.
Substitutes: Ryan, Gabriel, Cedric, David Luiz, Ceballos, Smith Rowe, Lacazette, Willian, Martinelli.

Manchester City (4-3-3) Ederson; Cancelo, Stones, Dias, Zinchenko; Silva, Fernandinho, Gundogan; Mahrez, De Bruyne, Sterling.
Substitutes: Steffen, Walker, Laporte, Mendy, Rodri, Foden, Jesus, Aguero, Torres.

Southampton, Arsenal, Newcastle, Chelsea, Manchester United, Birmingham, Brighton, Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, Cheltenham, West Brom, Sheffield United, Burnley, Liverpool, Swansea, Spurs, Everton. Seventeen teams have failed to resist the force of Manchester City, who are on an unprecedented winning run. Now Arsenal, who were tonked 4-1 in the Carabao Cup before Christmas, have a second chance.

Mikel Arteta’s side were at rock bottom after that City defeat, but a joyously unexpected 3-1 win over Chelsea four days later kickstarted their season. A similar result at Stamford Bridge a week later was the first big sign that, after a sluggish start to the season, Manchester City might be back to their best. Subsequent results have not disabused us of this notion. They are going to win the league; the only question is how many cups they’ll win to go with it.

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