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Match Preview: Manchester City v Arsenal (Premier League)

Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal visit Manchester City in the Premier League at the City of Manchester stadium later this afternoon.

Mark Hughes will be hoping his City side can capitalise on Arsenal’s up and down form this season in the Premiership. However, the Blues have also been inconsistent and go into this clash with the Gunners with only a point from their last four games in the Premier League after halting a run of three straight defeats last weekend in the 2-2 draw with Hull City at the KC Stadium. This slide in form sees City in 12th place in the table, but only a point off the relegation zone.

Gunners boss Wenger will be looking for his young Arsenal side to bounce straight back after losing 2-0 to Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium last week after beating European Champions Manchester United the week before. However, Arsenal are need to win if they are to close the nine-point gap on Chelsea and Liverpool at the top of the table.

City are unable to call on Martin Petrov (knee), Valeri Bojinov (calf), Michael Johnson (groin) or Daniel Sturridge (ankle) for the visit of the Gunners. Kasper Schmeichel is set to replace Joe Hart in goal for the Blues, with Hart ruled out for a month with an ankle injury.

Arsenal will be without long-term injury Tomas Rosicky (hamstring) along with defender Bacary Sagna (ankle). While Wenger will also be ruing the loss of Theo Walcott, who will be out for three months after dislocating his shoulder on International duty with England.

Emmanuel Adebayor is rested due to his International exploits, while Kolo Toure and former skipper William Gallas are also missing – the latter removed from the squad until further notice.

Spanish International Cesc Fabregas is suspended, but Wenger has Robin van Persie back from suspension, a massive boost for a depleted Gunners side.

Predicted Arsenal Line-Up:

Almunia
Hoyte – Djourou – Silvestre – Clichy
Diaby – Denilson – Song – Nasri
Bendtner – van Persie

Subs:

Fabianski, Gibbs, Lansbury, Wilshere, Ramsey, Vela, Simpson

Match Prediction: Manchester City 2-2 Arsenal

Catch all the post-match reaction and highlights here on Gooner Talk seconds after the final whistle.

Leave your views and predictions of this afternoon’s game in the comments section below.

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