ShareSunday’s result at the Etihad Stadium could have a big bearing on the outcome of an increasingly tight Premier League title race.By Graham RuthvenSeason-definingEven as top-of-the-table clashes go, Sunday’s encounter between Manchester City and Arsenal deserves a big billing. It could be a season-defining match for both teams.What once looked like Arsenal’s title now appears to be slipping from the grip of Mikel Arteta and his players. The Gunners have won just one of their last five fixtures in all competitions and can ill-afford another defeat after last weekend’s damaging home loss to Bournemouth.City, on the other hand, have won five of their last seven in the league including a statement victory away to Chelsea last weekend. Pep Guardiola has the scent of another title in his nostrils.Manchester City are unbeaten in their last 11 home matches against Arsenal in all competitions and haven’t lost to anyone at home in the league since the opening day of the season.Momentum seems to be with Guardiola’s team even if Arsenal still hold a six-point advantage at the top of the table. A City win might make them favourites to win a seventh Premier League title in nine years.Key playersRayan Cherki embodies the difference between City and Arsenal at the moment. While the Gunners are struggling for open play creativity, the French playmaker is producing assists for fun as the chasers close the gap on the leaders.Indeed, Cherki has registered 10 Premier League assists this season despite starting just 15 matches. He is the creative force pushing Manchester City forward in the title race.Erling Haaland has scored more goals than any other player in the Premier League this season, but has drawn a blank in six of his last eight outings for City. His goalscoring hasn’t been as consistent as in previous seasons.Jérémy Doku is averaging more successful dribbles per 90 than any other player in the Premier League and will be a threat in the wide areas against Arsenal.Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi will be tasked with controlling the centre of the pitch for the visitors to the Etihad Stadium with the former particularly impressive in Arsenal’s mid-week Champions League performance against Sporting CP.Arteta has a decision to make over the identity of his centre forward with Viktor Gyökeres and Kai Havertz capable of playing that position, albeit in a very different way. Arsenal’s title challenge has been based on defensive solidity, making Gabriel Magalhães and William Saliba central to the Gunners’ chances of leaving the Etihad Stadium with a positive result this weekend.The Gunners have kept more clean sheets than any other Premier League side this season with David Raya another Arsenal player who must find top form against City.Team newsNico O’Reilly came off with a muscle injury against Chelsea and is a doubt to feature in Sunday’s top-of-the-table clash meaning Guardiola might be forced to reshuffle his defensive line. Joško Gvardiol is still sidelined with a long-term injury while Rúben Dias and John Stones are concerns ahead of this weekend’s meeting with Arsenal.Arsenal also have several injury doubts with Riccardo Calafiori, Noni Madueke, Martin Ødegaard, Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber all carrying knocks at the moment. Ødegaard and Saka’s fitness is of particular concern.PredictionWe’re predicting a serious shake up in the title race, and an impetus changing home win for Pep Guardiola: Man City 3-1 Arsenal.(Cover image from IMAGO)You can follow every game from the Premier League with FotMob – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.Add FotMob as a preferred news source on Google by clicking – here.Sunday’s result at the Etihad Stadium could have a big bearing on the outcome of an increasingly tight Premier League title race.By Graham RuthvenSeason-definingEven as top-of-the-table clashes go, Sunday’s encounter between Manchester City and Arsenal deserves a big billing. It could be a season-defining match for both teams.What once looked like Arsenal’s title now appears to be slipping from the grip of Mikel Arteta and his players. The Gunners have won just one of their last five fixtures in all competitions and can ill-afford another defeat after last weekend’s damaging home loss to Bournemouth.City, on the other hand, have won five of their last seven in the league including a statement victory away to Chelsea last weekend. Pep Guardiola has the scent of another title in his nostrils.Manchester City are unbeaten in their last 11 home matches against Arsenal in all competitions and haven’t lost to anyone at home in the league since the opening day of the season.Momentum seems to be with Guardiola’s team even if Arsenal still hold a six-point advantage at the top of the table. A City win might make them favourites to win a seventh Premier League title in nine years.Key playersRayan Cherki embodies the difference between City and Arsenal at the moment. While the Gunners are struggling for open play creativity, the French playmaker is producing assists for fun as the chasers close the gap on the leaders.Indeed, Cherki has registered 10 Premier League assists this season despite starting just 15 matches. He is the creative force pushing Manchester City forward in the title race.Erling Haaland has scored more goals than any other player in the Premier League this season, but has drawn a blank in six of his last eight outings for City. His goalscoring hasn’t been as consistent as in previous seasons.Jérémy Doku is averaging more successful dribbles per 90 than any other player in the Premier League and will be a threat in the wide areas against Arsenal.Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi will be tasked with controlling the centre of the pitch for the visitors to the Etihad Stadium with the former particularly impressive in Arsenal’s mid-week Champions League performance against Sporting CP.Arteta has a decision to make over the identity of his centre forward with Viktor Gyökeres and Kai Havertz capable of playing that position, albeit in a very different way. Arsenal’s title challenge has been based on defensive solidity, making Gabriel Magalhães and William Saliba central to the Gunners’ chances of leaving the Etihad Stadium with a positive result this weekend.The Gunners have kept more clean sheets than any other Premier League side this season with David Raya another Arsenal player who must find top form against City.Team newsNico O’Reilly came off with a muscle injury against Chelsea and is a doubt to feature in Sunday’s top-of-the-table clash meaning Guardiola might be forced to reshuffle his defensive line. Joško Gvardiol is still sidelined with a long-term injury while Rúben Dias and John Stones are concerns ahead of this weekend’s meeting with Arsenal.Arsenal also have several injury doubts with Riccardo Calafiori, Noni Madueke, Martin Ødegaard, Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber all carrying knocks at the moment. Ødegaard and Saka’s fitness is of particular concern.PredictionWe’re predicting a serious shake up in the title race, and an impetus changing home win for Pep Guardiola: Man City 3-1 Arsenal.(Cover image from IMAGO)You can follow every game from the Premier League with FotMob – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.Add FotMob as a preferred news source on Google by clicking – here.