Arsenal vs Manchester City - as it happened: Shkodran Mustafi header salvages a point for the Gunners
Re-live all the action from the Emirates Stadium
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Your support makes all the difference.Arsenal entertain Manchester City on Sunday, as Arsène Wenger's side look to stop the rot which has left them in serious danger of failing to achieve a top-four finish.
The Gunners have fallen away from their rivals for Champions League qualification following defeats at Liverpool and West Bromwich Albion, and will have to overcome the uncertainty which surrounds their manager's future.
City, meanwhile, have improved domestically, but were held to a 1-1 home draw by Liverpool last time out. Pep Guardiola's side have won their last three league fixtures away from home against West Ham, Bournemouth and Sunderland.
What time is kick off?
The match will kick off at 4.00pm on Sunday 1 April.
Where can I watch it?
It will be shown live on Sky Sports 1, with highlights aired on BBC One at 10.30pm.
Past three meetings...
Manchester City 2 (Sane, Sterling) Arsenal 1 (Walcott)
Premier League, December 2016
Manchester City 2 (Aguero, De Bruyne) Arsenal 2 (Giroud, Sanchez)
Premier League, May 2016
Arsenal 2 (Walcott, Giroud) Manchester City 1 (Toure)
Premier League, December 2015
Form...
Arsenal: LWLLWL
Manchester City: WWDWLD
Odds...
Provided by 888.com
Arsenal: 21/10
Manchester City: 5/4
Draw: 13/5
Hello and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of today's Premier League clash between Arsenal and Manchester City. With the two sides seemingly caught on repeat, both will be desperate to get three points under their belts this afternoon following a disappointing string of results.
There's no denying that the home side have more to lose though. Arsenal have not won in the league since early February and with Arsene Wenger facing mounting calls to step down, defeat today would surely send the Emirates into meltdown.
As for Manchester City, Pep Guardiola's side have flashed with brilliance this season but inconsistency and teething problems have seen the side fall off in the title race. City have managed just one win from their last four games (which came in the FA Cup) and were notably dumped out of Europe by Monaco. A win today, however, could restore some much-needed faith to the side and keep them on course for a top-four finish.
Arsene Wenger and Pep Guardiola
"In a campaign where everything is piling up and Arsenal have suffered a torrid last two months, the considered economist in Arsene Wenger still goes back to the little moments that could have gone a different way, and led to a different season. He particularly points to their last game against Manchester City, and the match just before it away to Everton. The latter brought Arsenal’s first league defeat in 15 since the opening day at home to Liverpool, and then another in quick succession.
"...City have not been consistent or all that convincing this campaign, but it cannot be denied that they regularly create an abundance of good chances, suggesting that there is something more there."
Chief football writer Miguel Delaney casts his astute eye over the two teams ahead of today's showdown. Both teams seem to be caught in repeat but there's no denying that it is Wenger who currently stands to lose the most. Read on for more of his analysis...
Wenger made it clear on Friday that he possesses the same hunger and love for the game as when he first walked through the doors at Arsenal. The Frenchman was adamant in his press conference that he would not retire - something he believes is for "old people".
“I will not retire,” Wenger asserted. “Retiring is for young people. For old people, retirement is dying.”
"of course I'm as hungry,” he added. “I carry a bit more pressure on my shoulders than 20 years ago but the hunger is exactly the same.
"When you see what the club was and what it is today – when I arrived we were 70 employees, we are 700 today. One share was £400, it £18,000 today. And I'll tell you straight away, I don't have any shares.”
Arsene Wenger has no plans of retiring
Manchester City make just one change to their starting line-up.
Jesus Navas comes into the side, with Ivorian midfielder Yaya Toure on the bench. Defender Vincent Kompany returns to the match-day squad following his recovery from injury.
Five changes to the Arsenal side that were beaten by West Brom last month. David Opsina, Shkodran Mustafi, Nacho Monreal, Theo Walcott and Danny Welbeck all start for the Gunners.
Good to see Welbeck back on the team-sheet but could Wenger be taking a risk in playing him? He didn't even make it on to the bench against West Brom and is sure to lack match fitness or sharpness. He faces quite the challenge today.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Aaron Ramsey miss out through a hamstring and calf injury respectively.
Arsenal enter the clash with a tremendous home record against their opponents. With just one defeat in 19 home games against The Citizens, this should fill the Gunners with confidence. However, Guardiola's men will be looking to do a league double over Arsenal for the first time since 1975-76. This combined with the prospect of a top four finish for both clubs on the horizon - it's all to play for.
Kick off at 16:00.
The players are lined up in the tunnel - just minutes until kick off now.
Stay tuned for minute-by-minute coverage of all of the action.
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