Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Manchester City can dent Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes and move above the Gunners in the process when they face-off at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon, with Arsene Wenger’s side looking to close the gap to runaway leaders Chelsea to six points. Follow the latest here.
- Manchester City vs Arsenal kicks off at 16:00 GMT
- City without suspended Sergio Aguero and Fernandinho
- Ilkay Gundogan ruled out for the rest of the season with knee ligament damage
- Teams:
- Manchester City: Bravo; Zabaleta, Otamendi, Kolarov, Clichy; Fernando; Sané, Touré, Silva, Sterling; De Bruyne
- Subs: Caballero, Sagna, Stones, Nolito, Navas, Iheanacho, A Garcia
- Arsenal: Cech; Bellerin, Gabriel, Koscielny, Monreal; Coquelin, Xhaka; Walcott, Ozil, Iwobi; Sanchez.
- Subs: Ospina, Gibbs, Holding, Elneny, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Lucas, Giroud.
Follow the live action below...
Please allow a moment for the blog to load...
Arsenal cannot afford to slip up when they travel to Manchester City on Sunday or else risk dropping nine points behind Premier League leaders Chelsea, while City also find themselves in a perilous position after a run of poor form.
With a Gunners a solitary point ahead of fourth-placed City, the match will see two sides having their title credentials tested go head to head with the loser in danger of falling out of the title picture.
City go into the match on the back foot, with Sergio Aguero and Fernandinho suspended and Ilkay Gundogan ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a cruciate ligament injury in Wednesday’s victory over Watford.
At least City enter the match off the back of a win though. Arsenal suffered a surprising defeat at Everton on Tuesday in which they were soundly beaten by a team more determined to grab the three points. They could have Aaron Ramsey back for the match, but Arsene Wenger confirmed it comes too soon for Danny Welbeck while Shkodran Mustafi, Per Mertesacker and Santi Cazorla remain long-term absentees.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Premier League encounter.
It’s a big game for...
Nolito: The Spain international replaced youngster Kelechi Iheanacho for the win over Watford and is likely to continue as the lead striker for the visit of Arsenal. He has big shoes to fill, as the absent Aguero has scored four goals against Arsenal during his Premier League career.
Best stat...
3.2: This clash tends to produce goals, with 32 goals scored between the two sides over their last 10 meetings. City’s biggest victory remains the 6-3 demolition on December 2013, while Arsenal have not managed to better the 3-0 Community Shield victory in 2014 as their best league triumph came in the 2-0 win in January 2015.
Who to look out for...
Alexis Sanchez: The Arsenal striker is running red-hot this season and the ongoing contract negotiations with the club do not appear to be a distraction. Sanchez has 14 goals this season for his club along with two more for his country, and the Chilean now has as many league goals as Diego Costa this season along with the same number of assists in fewer minutes.
Likely teams...
Manchester City: Bravo; Zabaleta, Otamendi, Kolarov, Clichy; Toure, Fernando, Sterling, Silva De Bruyne; Nolito.
Arsenal: Cech; Bellerin, Gabriel, Koscielny, Monreal; Ghaka, Coquelin, Walcott, Özil, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Sanchez.
Past three meetings...
Manchester City 2 (Aguero, De Bruyne) Arsenal (Giroud, Sanchez), Premier League, May 2016.
Arsenal 2 (Walcott, Giroud) Manchester City 1 (Toure), Premier League, December 2015.
Manchester City 0 Arsenal 2 (Cazorla, Giroud), Premier League, January 2015.
Form...
Manchester City: DWLDLW
Arsenal: WLWWWL
Odds...
Manchester City to win: 23/20
Arsenal to win: 5/2
Draw: 13/5
(Odds provided by 888sport)
Where can you watch it...
Manchester City vs Arsenal is live on Sky Sports 1 from 15:30.
Highlights on BBC One on Monday at 22:45.
You can also follow it with The Independent’s live blog live on Sunday afternoon.
78 MINS
Substitution: Oxlade-Chamberlain is replaced by El-Neny due to injury.
80 MINS
Yellow card: Kevin De Bruyne receives a booking for a late challenge on Gabriel.
The 25-year-old has put in a good shift today for The Citizens and the assist for Sterlings goal was sublime. He's a joy to watch when he performs.
Ozil a really talented player, but give me Silva or De Bruyne over him every time.
83 MINS
Arsenal move forward with an attack led by El-Neny but the City back four manage to deal with the danger. Giroud goes for the headed attempt from the cross, but it goes well wide. The Frenchman is renowned for his ability to bring his side back into a game - so they need him now more than ever.
Substitution: De Bruyne is replaced by Iheanacho
86 MINS
Otamendi takes down Ozil with a late challenge to give The Gunners a free-kick just outside of the penalty area.
Ozil stands over the set piece, but it fails to find an Arsenal head and Bravo clumps the ball away with a punch. Good goalkeeping from the 33-year-old.
TOTTENHAM 2 - 1 BURNLEY
Tottenham regain the lead at White Hart Lane with a goal from Danny Rose.
88 MINS
Arsenal relentlessly defend the City attacks, but they are failing to create any opportunities themselves. Iheanacho looks like he has a point to prove out there since coming on as a late substitute.
FULL TIME
MANCHESTER CITY 2 - 1 ARSENAL
Guardiola's men redeemed themselves from an one goal deficit, with second-half goals from Sane and Sterling. This fixture was a tale of two halves, with Arsenal controlling prior to the break, but City dominating for the remainder. An early goal from Walcott was not enough of to allow his side to go off the boil and they paid the ultimate price for their dismal display in the latter stages of the game.
Manchester City deserve applause for their first win after being behind at half time since 2012. They showed relentless spirit and determination to pull off the comeback and they will be leaving the Etihad today with a deserved three points.
That's all from us today, I hope you've enjoyed it as much as I have. Always a pleasure.
Feel free to tweet me any comments about today's Super Sunday games on @joooemiles.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments