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Premier League
Dec 15, 2019 at 4.30pm UK
 
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De Bruyne (2', 40'), Sterling (15')

How Arsenal could line up against Manchester City

Sports Mole looks at how Arsenal could line up for Sunday's Premier League showdown with Manchester City as Nicolas Pepe faces a late fitness test.

Arsenal are bidding for back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time since August when they welcome Manchester City to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Gunners finally ended their longest winless run for 42 years by coming from behind to beat West Ham United on Monday night, but a midweek Europa League draw in Belgium means that they have now won just one of their last 11 outings across all competitions.

Arsenal also have a poor recent record against Man City, although the champions have been in inconsistent form themselves and Arsenal may be hopeful of getting a priceless victory for their ailing top-four hopes.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how interim boss Freddie Ljungberg could set his side up for the showdown.



Possible ARS XI vs. MNC

Out: Kieran Tierney (shoulder), Granit Xhaka (concussion), Dani Ceballos (thigh), Rob Holding (knee)
Doubtful: Nicolas Pepe (knee), Hector Bellerin (hamstring)

> Click here for Arsenal's latest injury and suspension news ahead of this match

Arsenal's main injury concern hangs over record signing Nicolas Pepe, who began to show signs of why the Gunners splashed so much money on him during their comeback against West Ham on Monday.

The winger was not able to build on that in midweek due to a bruised knee, but probably would have been rested anyway in the hope that he would be fully fit for the visit of the champions.

Ljungberg is set to give Pepe as much opportunity as possible to prove his fitness, and should he pass the late test then he is likely to start given Man City's troubles against pacy attacks in recent weeks.

Alexandre Lacazette had to watch on from the bench on Monday and may be forced to settle for the same role on Sunday despite scoring in midweek, with captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang set to lead the line.

Gabriel Martinelli is looking to become only the fourth Arsenal player to score on his first two Premier League starts for the club, with his strike against the Hammers putting him on course to equal the feat achieved by Ian Wright, Davor Suker and Alex Iwobi.

Matteo Guendouzi is expected to come back into the starting lineup with former skipper Granit Xhaka ruled out with concussion, while Sead Kolasinac is also set for a recall after Kieran Tierney suffered a dislocated shoulder which could keep him sidelined for up to three months.

There are also injury concerns on the other side of the defence with Hector Bellerin set for a late fitness test after pulling out of the West Ham match in the warm-up due to a tight hamstring.

David Luiz sat out the trip to the London Stadium and Calum Chambers will be hopeful of keeping his spot in defence, but the Brazilian's experience and knowledge of compatriot Gabriel Jesus could be enough for him to earn the nod.

> Click here to see how Man City could line up for this match

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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrates scoring for Arsenal on December 1, 2019
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Combined XI: Arsenal vs. Manchester City
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal36265588286083
2Manchester CityMan City35257387335482
3Liverpool36239481384378
4Aston Villa36207973532067
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs351861169581160
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle351751378562256
7Chelsea351591170591154
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd34166125251154
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham361310135670-1449
10Bournemouth36139145263-1148
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton351211125357-447
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves36137164960-1146
13Fulham36128165155-444
14Crystal Palace351010154557-1240
15Everton36129153849-1137
16Brentford3699185260-836
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3689194563-1829
18Luton TownLuton3668224978-2926
19Burnley3659223974-3524
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd36372635100-6516


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