Having seen an unbeaten run stretching back to the first game of the season ended, the Arsenal fans in the Transfer Tavern have watched their title hopes rocked of late.

Still, with three wins in their last four games and seemingly overcoming the November hoodoo that is a common experience, the Gunners are looking like potential title contenders again this season.

With a big game away at Manchester City coming up in the height of a busy Christmas period, these are the games that points need to be taken from in order to maintain the title pursuit.

There was nothing between the teams in last season’s fixture, Arsenal fans only have to look back to 2015 for their last victory, inspired by Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud goals – with the latter also scoring at the Etihad last season.

Perhaps it is too early in the season to call this a must-win game, but nothing less than a win will mean Arsenal will surely lose more ground the Chelsea in the title race.

However, if Arsene Wenger’s side find their scoring touch against this City defence – it is hard to imagine a return to north London without a win for the Gunners.

That being said, here’s the XI to help them do it.

GK: Petr Cech

Surprisingly hasn’t keep a clean sheet in his last 6 games, a rare occurrence for Cech, whose class is undoubted by Gunners fans in the Transfer Tavern.

RB: Hector Bellerin

Bellerin made his return from against Stoke last Saturday and it was as if he’d never been away, as he set up Theo Walcott for Arsenal’s equaliser.

CB: Gabriel Paulista

Arsenal fans in the Transfer Tavern have been endeared to Gabriel recently with his show of versatility and passion on and off the pitch.

He will be looking to take his chance due to the injuries sustained by Per Mertesacker and most recently Shkodran Mustafi.

CB: Laurent Koscielny

Has fully established himself as the defensive leader Arsenal fans have craved since the days of Tony Adams, Martin Keown and Sol Campbell.

LB: Nacho Monreal

Monreal has optimised consistency this season and should keep his place despite the recent performances of Kieran Gibbs in the cup competitions.

CDM: Francis Coquelin

Pivotal to balancing Arsenal’s midfield, Coquelin often seems fired up for the big games resulting into the gaining of cards.

The controlling of his emotions will be important in such a big game at the Etihad.

CDM: Granit Xhaka

More likely to get booked than Coquelin, Xhaka has shown already this season that he also has a fiery streak.

Expect the £30m man to be targeted by City players to provoke a reaction.

RW: Theo Walcott

Coming off the back of scoring his 100 league career goal as well as managing to bag 7 goals in 14 appearances this season, Walcott will be confident in finding the net every time he steps on to the pitch.

CAM: Mesut Özil

The man that makes Arsenal tick, Özil has been in great form for Arsenal this season with his tally of 9 goals in all competitions adding to the numerous assists he is always capable of making.

LW: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Has impressed Arsenal fans in the Transfer Tavern with his recent performances.

Oxlade-Chamberlain will be competing with young Nigerian, Alex Iwobi for the starting spot on the left wing but his recent performances may just edge him into contention.

ST: Alexis Sanchez

Alexis has materialised into the striker that Arsenal fans in the Transfer Tavern has craved for the last few seasons. A real fans favourite, Wenger may well rest the Chilean after this big game.