Arsenal's Premier League title chances head into the last-chance saloon as they host City on Saturday Night. Arsene Wenger's men have taken just eight points from their last seven Premier League matches to fade from league leaders to rank outsiders to claim the top-flight crown. City have got their groove back in the league with three successive wins to nil: hard-fought at Hull, firm against Fulham, merciless at Man United.
Team News
Pellegrini has confirmed Sergio Aguero has not recovered from injury in time to face Arsenal on Saturday. The City manager revealed the Argentinian striker is still suffering from the hamstring injury he picked up against Barcelona. Defender Matija Nastasic remains out of action with a knee injury. Silva will play after recovering from an ankle injury.
Arsenal have no new injuries to contend with following Tuesday's draw with Swansea, but are still without a number of key midfielders. Aaron Ramsey has suffered a setback in his recovery from the thigh problem which has kept him out since Boxing Day, while Jack Wilshere and Mesut Ozil are also out of action, along with long-term absentee Theo Walcott. Thomas Vermaelen will again partner Per Mertesacker in the centre of defence due to Laurent Koscielny's absence through injury.
- Victory at the Emirates last season ended a run of 27 league games without a win for Manchester City away against Arsenal.
- There have been six red cards in the last seven Premier League meetings between Man City (4) and Arsenal (2). Five of those have come in the last three meetings at the Emirates.
- Manchester City scored six goals from just seven shots on target when they beat Arsenal 6-3 at the Etihad Stadium last December.
- Manchester City have kept five consecutive clean sheets in the top-flight for the first time since 1915 and they have never kept six in a row in the top flight.