Mesut Ozil
Mesut Ozil is the leading assist provider in the Premier League with 13 in 15 games Getty

Arsenal take on Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium on Monday, 21 December with the winner keeping in touch with league leaders Leicester City who are currently five points clear of their nearest challengers. The Gunners have not won the league in over a decade and a win here will put faith in the hearts of fans, who have seen their side win consecutive FA Cups in the last two years.

Where to watch live

Kick-off is set for 8pm GMT. Live coverage of the game will be on Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports 1 HD.

Overview

Arsenal have won their last three games in all competitions, including a crucial 3-0 win over Greek side Olympiacos which propelled them into the round of 16 of the Champions League. The Gunners have been handed the worst possible draw in Europe, teed up against defending Champions Barcelona, who have been invincible in the group stages. However, their aspirations in the league are still at large, with consecutive wins over Sunderland and Aston Villa since the beginning of December.

Arsene Wenger does not have confirmation over Alexis Sanchez's availability and will wait until the last minute on the day to assess his situation. The Chilean is Arsenal's second highest scorer in all competitions but has been unavailable since the end of November with a hamstring strain he picked up against Norwich City. None of the other injured players are expected to return, with Jack Wilshere and Danny Welbeck suffering further setbacks.

Meanwhile, City will welcome Sergio Aguero back into the squad, who was missing in the last few weeks with a heel injury. The Argentine has been their most prolific goalscorer this season and will have to get back into the groove as soon as possible in a bid to end their three-game drought without a goal away from home.

However, Vincent Kompany is unlikely to make the squad after failing to recover in time from a calf injury. Their defence has been in sixes and sevens this season without the Belgian's presence at the back, something Manuel Pellegrini has to address before the game, for the Citizens to have any chance of keeping out a fluid Gunners' front three.

What managers say

Arsene Wenger: "We have really established a good run so for us it's important to continue that. It is a massive game. When we play at home you want to win because we are ambitious and we feel we have the chance to come out in a strong position after Christmas. It will be a very tight game because if you look at the numbers since the start of the season, offensively and defensively the numbers are very close. Manchester City has huge individual potential with David Silva and Sergio Aguero coming back and so we will need a top, top-level team performance."

Manuel Pellegrini: "It's not a decisive game as after this we have to play 21 games more. (But) it's a game of six points, to win three and to take three off a rival. But we must consider Leicester -- they are still top of the table. United are just a few points behind us. Tottenham can be involved, so can Liverpool and Crystal Palace. It's impossible just to think there are two teams involved in the title."

Betting Odds (888Sport)

  • Arsenal Win: 11/8
  • Draw: 18/7
  • Manchester City Win: 21/10

Team News

Arsenal

Possible XI: Cech; Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Ramsey, Flamini; Campbell, Ozil, Walcott; Giroud.

Manchester City

Possible XI: Hart; Sagna, Otamendi, Mangala, Clichy; Fernandinho, Toure; De Bruyne, Silva, Sterling; Aguero.

Arsenal FC Manchester City FC