Monday night football can be a dreary affair, but we can be pretty sure that this game will be tense if nothing else.
Arsenal and Manchester City are the two bookies’ favourites for the Premier League title, despite Leicester being top of the table, and they face each other in their final fixture before Christmas.
Arsene Wenger is hoping this can finally be their year, whilst Manuel Pellegrini knows that Pep Guardiola is a large elephant in the room; possibly the Man City board room.
We know that both sides are depleted through their respective injuries, but Mesut Ozil and David Silva are both due to play and grace us with their fluid passing.
The title can’t be sewn up tonight, but a victory for Arsenal will give Wenger’s men a significant advantage in the charge to catch Leicester and will no-doubt provoke further rumours of Pellegrini being replaced at the end of the campaign.
Defensive Solidity
The Gunners have only conceded 11 goals in their last 20 Premier League games at the Emirates.
Can see why Gunners’ fans think Koscielny is the best in the league..
Giroud Stat Booster
Olivier Giroud’s nine goals this season have earned as many points as Kelechi Iheanacho’s two goals. That’s Ronaldo worthy stat boosting from the Frenchman.
Cech; Record Breaker
Petr Cech has now equally David James’ Premier League clean sheet record, meaning another one and he is the undisputed holder of one of the biggest record a ‘keeper can hold.
The Czech international has been superb for the Gunners since joining this summer and has resumed his position as one of the highest rated keepers in Europe.
Return of a ghost
Mesut Ozil has had a hand in 15 goals in 15 Premier League appearances this season (two goals, 13 assists) – he was only involved in nine goals (four goals, five assists) in 22 PL apps in 2014-15.
Ozil has come in for a lot of criticism throughout his time in the Premier League, but the ex-Real Madrid man has been one of the players of the season so far. Let’s just hope the Arsenal fans don’t break the internet if he registers another assist…
Firing Blanks
The last time that Manchester City failed to score in four successive Premier League away games was in February 2006.
You can spend as much money as you like, but sometimes the goals just won’t come. City face a strong Arsenal defence after a poor run of offensive form.
Unhappy Capital
Manchester City have lost 22 Premier League games against Arsenal, their joint-most defeats against any opponent (along with Chelsea).
Pellegrini’s men only managed a draw at the Emirates last year and the return of Sergio Aguero will give them confidence.
Form Frenchman
Olivier Giroud has scored in eight of his last 12 Premier League appearances for Arsenal and has 11 goals in his last 13 appearances for the club in all competitions.
Giroud, after his CL heroics, is one of the PL’s form men at the moment. City’s wobbly defence will be a mouth watering prospect for the big Frenchman.