Arsenal lineup vs Man City predicted after Mikel Arteta confirms huge blow

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Manchester City will go head-to-head with Arsenal in the Premier League today in a game that will go a long way toward deciding who will be champions this season.

It's a game that has long been billed as a title decider, and the winner will be favourites to lift the Premier League trophy next month. Manchester City host Arsenal today as they look to do what very few thought possible and reel in their title rivals.

City are six points behind the Gunners, but they have a game in hand. A victory today followed by a win over Burnley on Wednesday would see them overtake Mikel Arteta's side and top the table.

It was revealed on Friday that Ruben Dias would not be back in time for the mammoth clash at the Etihad, but Arsenal have far more potential injury issues than Guardiola's men. Talisman Bukayo Saka is definitely out, as confirmed by Arteta on Friday, as is Mikel Merino. Martin Odegaard, Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber are all doubts, while Arteta hopes to have Noni Madueke available after he picked up a knock.

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David Raya will start in goal for the visitors, with William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes ahead of him. With Timber facing a late fitness check, Arteta might decide against throwing the Dutchman straight back in given the pace City possess on the wings. Piero Hincapie and Ben White can start in the full-back positions.

Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice are nailed on to start in midfield, but Arteta has decisions to make in attack. Arsenal have scored just three goals in their last five appearances in all competitions, a run that includes their Carabao Cup final defeat to City last month.

Madueke has been a regular in the starting team since Saka picked up an injury, and he can start on the right provided he is fit. Arteta may look to make a change on the opposite flank after the stale display against Sporting Lisbon in midweek, though, with Gabriel Martinelli dropping out and Leandro Trossard coming in.

Viktor Gyokeres is Arteta's go-to centre-forward and the Sweden international is expected to start at the Etihad today.

Even after today's game there is still a long way to go in the title race, so it's not quite a case of winner takes all. But make no mistake about it, today is a huge occasion and whoever wins will be strongly tipped to win the title.

Arsenal predicted XI: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Rice; Madueke, Eze, Trossard; Gyokeres.