SEASON CHANGER

The English Premier League is notorious for a gruesome fixture list when other leagues take a winter break. This festive season has tossed up a particularly exciting encounter as Arsenal and Manchester City prepare to go headto-head on Monday night. HT looks at the importance of the tie:

CLASH AT THE TOP

Going into this match, Arsenal are placed second with 33 points while City are third with 32. A win for City can propel them above Arsenal and closer to leaders Leicester City while a Gunners victory can render the Premier League title a twohorse race going into January.

Both sides have had similar seasons so far; the only difference being City have one more loss than the London club. From among the EPL giants, they are the only two performing at a high standard, although they still

trail Leicester.

INJURY PROBLEMS

A common thread between the Gunners and the Citizens is their injury problems this season.

Arsenal have missed Alexis Sanchez, Santi Cazorla, Jack Wilshere, Francis Coquelin, Tomas Rosicky and Danny Welbeck for extended periods this season while City have been without Sergio Aguero, David Silva, Vincent Kompany, Fernando, Pablo Zabaleta and Samir Nasri for many big matches.

City manager Manuel Pellegrini has confirmed that Aguero and Silva will be returning for this match while Arsene Wenger is hopeful that Sanchez will be fit too.

MISSED OPPORTUNITIES

Both teams have suffered needless losses

and draws this season.

Arsenal lost their opening encounter against West Ham, drew against Liverpool soon after and failed to capitalise on Chelsea’s slump when they lost at Stamford Bridge in September.

November wasn’t particularly fruitful for the Gunners as they took just two of possible nine points.

City began their season strongly by winning their first four games. However, they suffered shock defeats against West Ham and Tottenham in September. Their season was peppered with further disappointments as they lost to underperforming Liverpool in November and Stoke early in December.

UPCOMING CLASHES Monday’s clash at the Emirates

Stadium can be a make-or-break encounter for both teams because of the heavy Christmas schedule.

Arsenal play three matches in seven days with games against Southampton and Bournemouth after City’s visit.

City face Sunderland and table-toppers Leicester City before the end of the year.