Arsenal vs Manchester City. Premier League.
Emirates StadiumAttendance60,053.
Monday 21 December 2015 20:01, UK
Arsene Wenger has no new fitness concerns ahead of Arsenal's match against Manchester City, and remains hopeful Alexis Sanchez could be available for Monday.
There is a "slight chance" Sanchez could be involved, while Mikel Arteta is also close to a return, but Arsenal have been in good form in their absence with three consecutive wins following their 1-1 draw against Norwich in late November.
Sanchez limped out of that clash, but Arsenal have scored eight and conceded just one in subsequent games against Sunderland, Olympiakos and Aston Villa.
City's injury situation is improving too, and they responded to a disappointing league result of their own, a 2-0 defeat by Stoke City, with back-to-back wins over Borussia Monchengladbach and Swansea.
The Monday Night Football clash marks the start of mini-road trip for Manuel Pellegrini's side, as they return to Manchester to face Sunderland on Boxing Day, then visit Leicester three days later, before heading back to London to face Watford on January 2.
Team news
Sanchez has been missing with a hamstring problem, but returned to training earlier this week.
But Wenger will be without Jack Wilshere (leg), Francis Coquelin, Danny Welbeck, Santi Cazorla and Tomas Rosicky (all knee).
Sergio Aguero could feature after four games out with a heel injury, while captain Vincent Kompany (calf) returned to light training but is not yet working with the squad so continues to sit out.
City midfielder Fernando (hamstring) and defender Pablo Zabaleta (knee) are also still on the sidelines, while midfielder Samir Nasri (leg) is out long-term.
Opta stats
Arsenal have lost just one of their 18 home league games against City (W11 D6), but have won just one of the last six (D4 L1).
City have lost 22 league games against Arsenal, their joint-most defeats against any opponent (along with Chelsea).
There have been five red cards in the last five league matches between City and Arsenal at the Emirates, and the Gunners have conceded just 11 goals in their last 20 home league games in this fixture.
Mesut Ozil has had a hand in 15 goals in 15 league appearances this season (two goals, 13 assists) - he was only involved in nine goals (four goals, five assists) in 22 league appearances for the Gunners during the 2014-15 season.
Paul Merson's prediction
I'm going for Arsenal to win this one, and go on to win the title comfortably. I've watched City a few times, and they keep on falling over the line against teams.
You have to think Arsenal are probably going to go out of the Champions League to Barcelona, and City should go through against Dynamo Kiev. City also have another two games in the Capital One Cup, where they usually play their best side, so there's four extra matches. If Arsenal win this, I think they kick on.
What has changed for Arsenal this season? The other teams being unpredictable has helped, nobody has had major momentum throughout the season, but Arsenal have been mildly consistent.
They were very professional last week against Aston Villa - they came out of the blocks, and didn't come out with the attitude Liverpool had at Newcastle the week before, even though Villa are rock bottom. Their attitude has been spot on.
PAUL PREDICTS: 3-1 (16/1 with Sky Bet)
Betting
Arsenal are Sky Bet's 7/5 favourites for the victory, with Manchester City 2/1 while the draw is priced at 5/2. The Gunners also have the chance to become Premier League outright favourites for the first time this season as they currently marginally trail their visitors in the market at 11/8. Sergio Aguero's importance is emphasised by the fact that he heads the first goalscorer betting at 9/2 despite his side being outsiders, while Olivier Giroud is rated the hosts' main goal threat at 5/1. The Soccer Saturday pundits and Jamie Redknapp have provided their Sky Bet tips for the match, including Phil Thompson, who landed a 33/1 scorecast winner last Monday, backing Giroud to score first in a 2-1 win, again available at 33/1.
