The balance shifts from Arsenal to Manchester City, Chelsea could take a defining step away from the pack and Jack Wilshere’s chance to crack on
Given Chelsea’s rampaging form at the top of the table, the first Premier League meeting between Pep Guardiola and Arsène Wenger feels hugely significant, particularly for Manchester City who could find themselves 10 points off the title pace should they suffer defeat at the Etihad. A week ago Arsenal might have started this contest as favourites, but their 14-game unbeaten streak in the league came to an end in the midweek defeat at Goodison Park, while City rectified their recent slump with a confident 2-0 win over Watford. City’s performance was enhanced by Raheem Sterling’s return to the starting XI, who showed glimpses of the sort of form that lit up their blistering start to the campaign by flitting into central positions and surging the tempo. Arsenal meanwhile appear a little vulnerable; Shkodran Mustafi’s absence was exposed by Everton and Wenger will be without him again. All of a sudden it is City who have their tails up, before a game they can hardly afford to lose. LO
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