Ilkay Gundogan, Nicolas Otamendi and Bernardo all start, with Danilo, Leroy Sane and John Stones drop to the bench,
Starting XI and bench:
Ederson, Walker, Otamendi, Laporte, Fernandinho, Gundogan, De Bruyne, D Silva (c), Sterling, Bernardo, Aguero
Subs: Muric, Danilo, Delph, Stones, Sane, Mahrez, Jesus
READ: Which channel is City v Arsenal on?
LIVE: City v Arsenal: Matchday Centre
Referee:
Martin Atkinson
Probable formation:
On paper, it looks like we’re going 3-4-3.
Unless Pep springs a surprise, it looks as though City may start with three central defenders – Kyle Walker, Nicolas Otamendi and Aymeric Laporte.
If that’s the case, Fernandinho will pin a midfield quartet of Ilkay Gundogan, David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne, with Bernardo and Raheem Sterling supporting Sergio Aguero in attack.
The only other alternative would be to play Ferna a left-back in a 4-3-3 – but that seems unlikely.
Arsenal XI:
📋 Here it is - our team for #MCIARS! 🔴
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) 3 February 2019
Pivotal week for the Blues?
Arsenal, Everton and Chelsea – a tough set of fixtures for City who can ill-afford to drop points in any of those matches.
Spurs leapfrogged the champions yesterday with a 1-0 win over Newcastle United, while Liverpool take on West Ham on Monday evening.
An ideal scenario would see City win today, Liverpool drop points against the Hammers before the Blues collect three points away to Everton to move top.
It could all happen, of course – but all that really matters is today’s game and City taking care of business – then on to Everton…
Stats, facts and milestones…
Should City win today, it will be the first time in 82 years that we’ve beaten the Gunners four top flight game in a row…
Arsenal haven’t beaten an established top six side away from home in 20 attempts.
The Gunners are yet to keep a Premier League clean sheet on the road this season.
Pep Guardiola has taken on Arsenal boss Unai Emery 11 times before, winning seven, drawing four and losing none.
The Gunners have lost 11 of their last 19 Premier League matches.
Arsenal new signing Denis Suarez made two appearances for City during his two-year stay at the Etihad (2011-13)
