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Manchester City logo
Premier League
Jan 18, 2015 at 4pm UK
 
Arsenal logo

0-2

FT(HT: 0-1)
Cazorla (24' pen.), Giroud (67')

Preview: Manchester City vs. Arsenal

Sports Mole previews the Premier League showdown between Manchester City and Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero is a likely starter when his side host Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.

The Argentine forward made his return to first-team action last weekend after a month out with a knee injury, but after suffering no reaction after his 23-minute appearance against Everton, he should replace Stevan Jovetic in attack.

City boss Manuel Pellegrini has confirmed that captain Vincent Kompany has also been passed fit to feature, but midfielder Samir Nasri has been ruled out for up to a month with a calf problem.

The Premier League champions haven't kept a clean sheet for five games, but after continuing their fine form over the Christmas period, their unbeaten record now stands at 14 matches in all competitions.

Arsenal have been hit with a double injury blow in midweek after it was revealed that both Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Debuchy face lengthy spells on the sidelines.

Arteta will be absent until the end of February after ankle surgery, while Debuchy, who was needlessly pushed onto the concrete behind the goal by Stoke City's Marko Arnautovic last weekend, won't return until April after dislocating his shoulder.

Striker Danny Welbeck is also sidelined, while manager Arsene Wenger has decisions to make regarding who should start in goal out of Wojciech Szczesny and David Ospina, and whether to select the experienced Mathieu Flamini over Francis Coquelin.

The Gunners go into the match having failed to score in just one of their last 18 games in all competitions.

Manchester City:

Form in Premier League: WWWDWD
Form in all competitions: WWDWWD

Possible starting lineup: Hart; Zabaleta, Demichelis, Kompany, Clichy; Fernando, Fernandinho; Navas, Silva, Nasri; Aguero

Arsenal:

Form in Premier League: WDWWLW
Form in all competitions: DWWLWW

Possible starting lineup: Ospina; Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Flamini, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Rosicky, Cazorla, Sanchez; Giroud

Sports Mole says: 3-1


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Arsenal's English striker Danny Welbeck reacts after a shot at goal hit the post during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium in London on September 13, 2014
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City32227376324473
2Arsenal32225575264971
3Liverpool32218372314171
4Aston Villa33196868491963
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle321551269521750
7Manchester UnitedMan Utd32155124748-150
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham33139115258-648
9Chelsea31138106152947
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton321111105250244
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves32127134651-543
12Fulham33126154951-242
13Bournemouth32119124757-1042
14Crystal Palace3289153754-1733
15Brentford3388174758-1132
16Everton3298153248-1627
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3379174258-1626
18Luton TownLuton3367204670-2425
19Burnley3348213368-3520
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3237223084-5416


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