Manchester City has the experience and the quality to end Arsenal's title run at the Etihad, who is stopping them? (Photo credit: Super Sport)

 

Manchester City vs. Arsenal

Etihad Stadium

20:00hrs

It’s the title-defining game of the season, and everyone can’t wait to see the outcome. While a lot of people expect it to go one way, a few Arsenal fans refuse to accept defeat, and the game is now upon us.

Arsenal has lost its advantage in the title race despite leading Manchester City by five points. Three straight draws, and two of those having led 2-0.

The last was the worst of the lot, or how do you explain scoring three against Southampton at home and still dropping points?

The champions have been here before, and they’re on that type of run you see them on when they want to lock things up.

Pep Guardiola has established his team’s readiness to go all out against Arsenal; they will not be interesting to the Gunners.

The Cityzens booked their place in the final of the FA Cup, where they will meet their city rivals Manchester United after beating Sheffield United 3-0.

Manchester City will also play Real Madrid in the semifinal of the Champions League; they also have two games in hand. Busy days ahead.

Arsenal’s form has coincided with the absence of William Saliba; the Frenchman will not be available soon, and the Gunners will have to make do with Rob Holding, who has struggled to cope with the intensity of recent games.

Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus and Alexander Zinchenko both have a part to play in the run-in; their days at the Etihad should come in handy for the Gunners.

But how is Mikel Arteta going to set up against the team that has beaten Arsenal on this ground every season since 2016?

Manchester City will most likely appear funny again.

Guardiola deployed Bernardo Silva as a left wing-back in the reverse fixture, which the champions won 3-1 at the Emirates.

Expect John Stones and Rodri to interchange, and maybe another twist.

It’s a title decider.

Arsenal wins this, and they can restore their faint title hopes.

City wins, and it’s most certainly all over for the Gunners in the title race.

Arteta believes his boys can do the hard job at the Etihad, but who else feels the same?

There are certainly not many rival fans.

Verdict: Straight win for City