Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live Premier League coverage continues from the Etihad and it is a real cracker as fourth-place Manchester City welcome third-place Arsenal. Both of these teams are in need of the points as they chase down Chelsea and Liverpool, but something has to give. Stay tuned!

The last six Premier League meetings between these two teams have produced 24 goals, which is an average of four per game. Arsenal are actually unbeaten in their last six matches with Man City in all competitions – recording three wins in the process. Last season, the points were shared in a 2-2 draw in this particular stadium, but Arsenal recorded a 2-1 victory at the Emirates Stadium.

That said, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has won just two of his previous eight competitive meetings with Man City head coach Pep Guardiola. Away from home, Wenger's record against Guardiola is won zero, drawn one and lost three. Will that be playing on the Arsenal manager's mind ahead of the match? Only he will know! Let's just hope for an enthralling game of football here.

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Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news for this match. Both sides were in Premier League action during the week – have there been any changes? Let's run through the two XIs that will start this key fixture in England's top flight...

TEAMS!

CITY: Bravo; Zabaleta, Otamendi, Kolarov, Clichy; Fernando; Sane, Toure, Silva, Sterling; De Bruyne

ARSENAL: Cech; Bellerin, Gabriel, Koscielny, Monreal; Coquelin, Xhaka; Walcott, Ozil, Iwobi; Alexis

Man City boss Guardiola has made two changes to the team that started Wednesday's 2-0 victory at home to Watford, with Fernando and Leroy Sane taking the places of Nolito and Ilkay Gundogan. The former has dropped to the bench, while the latter is expected to miss the season after suffering a serious knee injury. Kevin de Bruyne is expected to operate through the middle this afternoon, while John Stones remains on the bench as Nicolas Otamendi and Aleksandar Kolarov continue in central defence. Sergio Aguero and Fernandinho are both still suspended for the former Premier League champions.

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As for Arsenal, Wenger has made one change to the team that started their 2-1 defeat at Everton. The alteration comes in a wide position as Alex Iwobi takes the place of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who has dropped to the bench. Shkodran Mustafi is still injured for the Gunners, meaning that Gabriel Paulista keeps his spot at centre-back alongside Laurent Koscielny. Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil also continue in the final third despite speculation surrounding their futures at the Emirates Stadium.

So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff on this mild afternoon in Manchester. I shall speak about Arsenal a little bit later, but let's start with Man City, who really need a big performance this afternoon following a couple of poor results. Indeed, questions are already being asked of head coach Guardiola and his playing style.

Man City got off to a flying start under Guardiola and won their opening six Premier League matches to rise to the top of the table. Their first defeat of the campaign came away at Tottenham Hotspur on October 2, however, and they actually only won one of their next four as they hit a bit of a wobble, which allowed the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool to make up the ground.

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Between September 29 and October 26, Man City did not win a single match across three separate competitions, but they bounced back in the league with a 4-0 victory at West Bromwich Albion, before that famous 3-1 success at home to Barcelona in the Champions League. They then won 2-1 at both Crystal Palace and Burnley to end the month of November in touch with Chelsea at the top of the table.

Guardiola's side suffered a 3-1 defeat to Chelsea at the start of December, however, before losing 4-2 at the champions Leicester City last weekend. Wednesday's home game with Watford was massive for the club and they just managed to squeeze out a 2-0 victory, despite the performance still being some way short of the high standards that they set in the opening weeks of the season.

As it stands, Man City are fourth in the Premier League – three points above fifth-place Tottenham and sixth-place Manchester United, one point behind third-place Arsenal and second-place Liverpool, but 10 points behind the leaders Chelsea. While the season is just 16 games old, you get the feeling that the Blues cannot afford to suffer another setback here, especially during a difficult period for Guardiola.

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In terms of what is ahead for Man City, they will travel to struggling Hull City on Boxing Day, before facing Liverpool at Anfield on December 31. The New Year then starts with a home game against Burnley, before visiting Everton after the third round of the FA Cup. It does not get any easier for Man City!

As for Arsenal, the Gunners will enter this match off the back of a disappointing 2-1 defeat at Everton on Tuesday night. After losing 4-3 to Liverpool on the opening weekend of the Premier League season, Wenger's side went 14 games unbeaten in England's top flight and moved temporarily top of the table after recording a 3-1 victory over Stoke City last weekend.

Chelsea ultimately regained the lead, however, and have since moved nine points clear of the Gunners after beating Crystal Palace 1-0 on Saturday. Alexis Sanchez sent Arsenal on their way against Everton at Goodison Park, but Seamus Coleman popped up with an equaliser before Ashley Williams won it for the Toffees late on. That defeat has made this game even bigger for the Gunners.

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Arsenal were heavily criticised following the Everton defeat, but they have won 10 of their last 14 in the Premier League and have scored 11 times in their last four away league fixtures – including four at Sunderland and five at West Ham. They also topped their Champions League group ahead of Paris Saint-Germain, but in true Arsenal fashion were still drawn with Bayern Munich in the last 16.

The Gunners have not actually lost consecutive Premier League away matches since April 2014, while only Chelsea (7) have won more away games at the Etihad than Arsenal (6). It is a tough match for Wenger's side this afternoon, but there is no question that they have the firepower to harm what has been a very poor Man City back-line for long spells of the campaign.

In terms of what is ahead for the London outfit, they will host West Bromwich Albion in the league on Boxing Day, before welcoming Crystal Palace on New Year's Day. Their first away game of 2017 is against Bournemouth, before travelling to Championship side Preston North End in the third round of the FA Cup on January 7. Right, kickoff at the Etihad is now just five minutes away!

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Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of kickoff at the Etihad. You just get the feeling that the first goal this afternoon - if there indeed is one - could be vital!

KICKOFF! Arsenal kick things off at the Etihad...

... there is no downplaying the importance of this football match. Decent noise inside the stadium, but it is mainly coming from the away supporters at the moment. It will be interesting to see which one of these teams dominates the ball. Both like to pass and probe from deep areas of the field.

De Bruyne is operating at centre-forward for the home side this afternoon, but the Belgian has to take the ball wide and there are no options inside the Arsenal box. The home supporters are not too pleased with the referee's early contribution following a couple of calls in Arsenal's favour here.

Arsenal make the breakthrough inside five minutes here as Walcott collects a super pass from Sanchez before finishing past Bravo inside the box. Terrible defending once again there!

CHANCE! Oh my word! Stunning chance for the home side as De Bruyne picks out Sterling at the far post, but the attacker somehow heads wide from close range. Should be 1-1!

Well, it has been some opening nine minutes to this match as both teams continue to commit players in the final third. I predicted goals this afternoon and that looks to be the case. Arsenal lead, but it really should be 1-1 after Sterling had that golden chance from a super De Bruyne cross.

Man City have a free kick in a dangerous area as Koscielny brings Sterling to the deck...

... De Bruyne delivers towards Toure and the big midfielder makes contact at the far post, but his header is over the crossbar. The flag was actually raised though so it would not have counted.

Neither defence looks too secure in this match and both teams have some brilliant attacking players, which surely equals goals. It is the Arsenal supporters making the noise at the moment, while the home fans are very nervous. The opening 13 minutes of this game have flown past.

Arsenal are more than happy to play on the counter-attack in this match as Man City continue to enjoy possession of the ball. It is a dangerous tactic, but Walcott and Sanchez have already managed to find dangerous positions. I would be astounded if we had seen the last of the goals.

End-to-end football in the last few minutes as both teams continue to commit players in the final third. Sanchez looks to slide a pass into Xhaka inside the Man City box, before Sterling breaks and Bellerin has to make a sliding challenge. This Man City defence looks very vulnerable indeed here.

The opening 20 minutes of this match has absolutely flown past and Arsenal have the lead courtesy of that Walcott finish in the fifth minute. Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few moments, but both defences look extremely vulnerable here under direct pressure.

De Bruyne started this match through the middle, but it does appear that Sterling is now the centre-forward for Man City. Silva and De Bruyne are getting on the ball and looking to find spaces, but Arsenal are keeping a decent line and there is no space for Sterling to use his explosive pace.

De Bruyne decides to have a pop from distance, but his effort was always too high.

The atmosphere is extremely flat at the moment, while Guardiola looks resigned on the bench. Arsenal are not having to play too well to lead at the Etihad, which is a concern for the home side.

To be blunt, not much is happening at the moment. Man City are going nowhere as they keep possession inside their own half and Arsenal are comfortable dealing with whatever arrives. Sterling ducks and dives before having a strike, but the ball is deflected wide of Petr Cech's post.

Better from the home side as they force a couple of corners in quick succession.

Sterling continues to operate through the middle for the home side, but he cannot bully his way past Arsenal's two centre-backs, which is proving a real problem. It is a surprise that Iheanacho was not picked to start this match considering his goal record and indeed his pace and power.

Bizarre moment as Gabriel smashes the ball against the back of Bellerin and it actually looks like it might be looping into the back of the net, but Cech is on hand to claim. I cannot get over the complete lack of atmosphere inside the stadium and it almost gets worse as Walcott volleys over from close range.

Man City need more from the likes of Silva and Sane this afternoon, while Sterling through the middle has not really worked in the opening 35 minutes of this match. Arsenal are more than prepared to sit deep and threaten on the counter, but chances have been few and far between here.

De Bruyne goes down inside the Arsenal box under pressure from Bellerin, but the referee is not interested and Arsenal break down the other end with Ozil, whose low cross is blocked behind.

Half-chance for the away side as Monreal picks out Xhaka with a dangerous cross, but the midfielder's header is just wide of the post. Man City's marking again was terrible there!

BOOKING! Silva (Man City) is booked for a late challenge on Coquelin.

Bellerin smashes one over the crossbar following another period of pressure from Arsenal, which saw Ozil and Sanchez both come close to finding each other inside the Man City box.

Man City pass and probe as they look to find that gap in the final third, but Arsenal are pretty comfortable at the moment as they continue to sit deep and defend their own penalty box.

Super stuff from Sane as the winger breezes past Monreal before delivering a low cross into the Arsenal box, but Gabriel is across to clear behind as the home side finally put some pressure on.

Sanchez does not look too comfortable for Arsenal following a couple of late challenges and that is certainly one to keep an eye on. Man City have been better in the last few minutes, but Cech still has not been forced into a save. I suspect that there could be some boos at the interval here.

More good pressure from the hosts as they force yet another corner...

... Toure meets De Bruyne's set piece, but Cech is on hand to save.

So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Arsenal leading 1-0 at the Etihad courtesy of a fifth-minute strike from Walcott, who was afforded far too much space inside the Man City box. In truth, Arsenal have managed to restrict the home side to very little here.

STATISTICS! Man City have dominated the possession with 64%, but they only hit the target with one of their seven first-half attempts. Arsenal, meanwhile, hit the target with just one of their four attempts, but it brought the only goal. Just the one booking to report - Silva in the 38th minute.

BENCH WATCH! Man City do not exactly have a whole host of attacking options on their bench this afternoon, but Jesus Navas, Kelechi Iheanacho and Nolito are available for Guardiola. Wenger, meanwhile, has options in the shape of Olivier Giroud, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Lucas Perez.

Wenger is coming out on top at the moment...

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RESTART! Man City resume the action at the Etihad...

... MAN CITY SUB! Sagna replaces Zabaleta for the home side.

Man City level the scores in the 47th minute as Silva chips a terrific pass behind the Arsenal defence and Sane is on hand to slot the ball past Cech. Looked a touch offside there!

BOOKING! Toure (Man City) is booked for dissent.

Well, Arsenal were so in control in the first period, but they have conceded a sloppy goal once again and Wenger looks furious on the touchline. They might also need to make a change here as Coquelin stays down following a challenge from Toure, which led to the Ivorian's yellow card.

This is a massive second period for both of these two teams. Chelsea are sitting pretty at the top of the league and would absolutely love a draw, but a draw does not really suit either Arsenal or Man City. Bellerin decides to have a pop from distance, but his effort was always too wide.

Different look to Man City at the moment as they hassle Arsenal out of possession and look to probe inside the away side's penalty box. The crowd are responding with chats of 'City, City!'

It will be interesting to see whether either manager introduces an attacking substitute in the next five minutes or so. Man City have already made one change - Sagna for Zabaleta - but both teams have a lot of talented forwards on their benches. Arsenal are struggling to get in the game at the moment.

De Bruyne whips a dangerous low cross into the Arsenal box, but Cech is on hand to claim.

Arsenal just cannot get out at the moment as Man City continue to dominate the ball, but Toure cannot unleash from the edge of the box and the visitors clear for a throw-in. Little under 30 minutes of football remaining at the Etihad and at the moment, the home side are fully in control.

SAVE! Super chance for Sane once again as De Bruyne slides a wonderful pass into the German, but Cech closes down the angle and makes a really smart save. Still 1-1 here.

Sterling's long-range strike drifts wide of Arsenal's post.

Sane showed glimpses of his talent in the first period and the German is the main man for Man City at the moment as he continues to cause problems with is pace and movement. Arsenal are simply not in this game, but they have so much pace and so much threat on the counter-attack.

Silva drags one wide of the post as Man City continue to threaten a second goal here.

ARSENAL SUB! Oxlade-Chamberlain replaces Iwobi for the away side.

Ozil is not in the game for Arsenal at the moment and the German does not exactly offer much defensive cover. Man City continue to pass and probe, but Wenger's side are holding on and might well be happy to settle for a point as things stand. Still no sign of Iheanacho or Nolito for the hosts.

SAVE! Cech has to get down to keep out a deflected De Bruyne strike!

Still no sign of Giroud for Arsenal, which will be very frustrating for the Frenchman. He popped up with a massive goal away to Manchester United last month and could still have a say in this one. As for Man City, Guardiola is sticking with a front three of Sane, Sterling and De Bruyne at the moment.

Man City take the lead in the 71st minute of this match as Sterling skips past Monreal before squeezing one into Cech's near post. It had been coming and Arsenal are behind at the Etihad.

Little over 15 minutes of this football match remaining and Arsenal are going to make a change.

ARSENAL SUB! Giroud replaces Coquelin for the away side.

MAN CITY SUB! Navas replaces Sane in Man City's second change.

POST! Navas delivers a super cross towards Arsenal's near post and De Bruyne's effort comes off the post. The Belgian had to score, but the away side just survive!

ARSENAL SUB! Elneny replaces Oxlade-Chamberlain, who is injured!

BOOKING! De Bruyne (Man City) is booked for a late tackle on Gabriel.

Ozil manages to find Walcott inside the Man City box, but the England international can only chip wide of the far post as Wenger turns away in frustration. Still 2-1 to the home side here.

Better from Arsenal in the last few minutes as they put the pressure on and Giroud heads over the crossbar after Bellerin had delivered a cross from the right. Might have done better there.

MAN CITY SUB! Iheanacho replaces De Bruyne for the home side.

Man City are playing a dangerous game at the moment as they drop into a defensive shape, which is inviting Arsenal to press players forward. Still a good five minutes to play at the Etihad.

Ozil delivers a deep free kick into the Man City box, but Bravo is on hand to punch clear and another dangerous situation is avoided. The pressure, however, continues as Man City retreat.

BOOKING! Elneny (Arsenal) is booked for a late tackle on Fernando.

Time is running out for Arsenal as Man City win a couple of free kicks and take their time to resume the play. Wenger looks absolutely furious on the sideline - his team have let him down again.

Four minutes added!

Arsenal just cannot get hold of the ball at the moment.

Bellerin knocks Sterling to the deck and Man City will take their time with this free kick.

Arsenal are messing around with the ball at the back!

Clichy wins a big header against Giroud and time is almost up here. It is going to be another defeat for Arsenal in a match where they took the lead. Man City are heading for second position.

BOOKING! Gabriel (Arsenal) is booked for a foul on Silva.

BOOKING! Fernando (Man City) is booked for pulling Bellerin.

So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Man City recording a 2-1 win over Arsenal to jump above the Gunners and move into second position in the table. Poor week for Arsenal! Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live action once again. Until next time!