Arsenal predicted XI vs Manchester City

Mikel Arteta himself has admitted that Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Manchester City is a huge top-of-the-table clash.

“It’s a massive game for both teams,” said the Spaniard. “It’ll give us a huge boost again if we go out there and win it. We’ve still got a long, long, long way to go to win it.”

Win and the Gunners can open up a four-point lead over Pep Guardiola’s side with just nine games remaining. Lose and Arsenal could drop from leading position in a thrilling title race to last in the chase.

It is vital that Arteta gets his squad right and there are plenty of dilemmas the Spaniard will have to deal with. Here, football.london looks at who he might pick at the Etihad Stadium.

David Raya was in action for Spain during the international break. After a tricky game in the reverse fixture at the Emirates Stadium, he will be hoping for a more even performance this time around.

Despite not playing for England, it has still been a busy international break for Ben White, who has been at the heart of a row with Gareth Southgate. He’ll be happy to put that behind him in the final few games of the season.

Saliba was absent in this crucial game last season. He will have extra motivation to rectify that by putting in another excellent performance against Erling Haaland.

After being pulled from international duty with a swollen Achilles tendon, Gabriel’s availability for this game is in doubt. However, it seems that the Brazilian will prevail.

The left back position is a fascinating point of contention for this game. If Takehiro Tomiyasu was closer to full fitness, he probably would have played.

Oleksandr Zinchenko is approaching match sharpness after a break in the international break. But Arteta is probably more inclined to stick with Jakub Kiwior, not only based on fitness but form.