As Arsenal welcome Manchester City to the Emirates for the first time since Mikel Arteta’s late wonder strike fired us to a 1-0 victory, tensions are running high.

After last week’s disappointing draw at Southampton, scuffing our chance to go level with Spurs, a win against the champions is much needed to keep the morale high and the pressure on Spurs for the coveted Champions League spot.

However, City will be desperate for the victory too, as, if United defeat Liverpool in the lunchtime kick off, City will start the match 10 points adrift of their biggest rivals.

With wins needed in both camps to keep the pressure on both of their domestic rivals, Tottenham and United respectively, the game has all the ingredients for a good clash.

Where we can win the game

I am really optimistic ahead of this big game. We have often been City’s bogey team and with an almost full squad at Wenger’s disposal, a win could be on the cards.

The most important thing we need to do is control the midfield. City normally play two up front and two out wide meaning they will only have two central midfielders.

They are also missing talisman Yaya Toure so Garcia and Barry look likely to start for the Citizens. Our midfield team of Cazorla, Wilshere and Arteta need to take charge of the game and boss the midfield.

In attack, Chamberlain and Podolski look set to start on the wings while Walcott will spearhead the attack down the middle. Kompany and Lescott are not the quickest defensive pairing in the world so Walcott will need to take full advantage of that. Crossing will be redundant in this game though, as the two center backs are good in the air and our attackers aren’t the tallest bunch.

Back in defense, Mertesacker will need to counter-act Dzeko’s aerial threat and Vermaelen must be wary of Tevez’s quick feet. Sagna needs to be very alert to the skill of David Silva, who has been in form recently, unlike Sagna who has looked slow since his return from injury.

Overall, if we get our shot’s away, keep positive and go for it, the game is more than winnable and it could be a real morale booster ahead of a tough run of fixtures.

On the other hand, a loss would move us further away from Tottenham and a Champion’s League spot, and put us in a bad place to face this run of tricky games that include Chelsea away, Bayern away and home, Swansea away, Stoke home, Liverpool home and a trip down to our North London rivals.

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