Fabian Delph v Alexis Sanchez
Should Sanchez start on the right flank, this could be one of Delph’s toughest tests yet.
The Blues’ stand-in left-back has acquitted himself fantastically well in the eight games he’s deputised for Benjamin Mendy coping with the best – among others – Chelsea, Shakhtar Donetsk and Napoli could throw at him.
Sanchez, however, is one of the best attacking midfielders in the Premier League and whether he’s up against Delph or switches over to the left and faces Kyle Walker, if he’s anywhere near his best he will be a constant threat.
Kevin De Bruyne v Granit Xhaka
De Bruyne and Xhaka know each other well from their Bundesliga clashes.
The pair will have faced each other several times in the colours of Wolfsburg, Werder Bremen (KDB) and Borussia Monchengladbach (Xhaka) between 2012 and 2015.
The Gunners know if they can keep City’s creative department quiet, they will have a chance of ending the Blues’ 14-match winning run.
Sergio Aguero v Per Mertesacker
Whether Aguero starts on Sunday or Gabriel Jesus – it could even be both – Mertesacker is likely to be in for a hectic afternoon.
The German centre-back recently returned from injury and has helped steady the Gunners’ defence, but he will need to be at his best on the ground and in the air with the Blues’ trickery in and around the box now matched by a growing presence from set-pieces and the free-scoring Stones and Otamendi!
