Manchester City take on Arsenal this Premier League weekend with the corresponding fixture of last season proving to be one of the games of 2013/14 – from a City point of view at least.
The manner in which they swept Arsenal aside 6-3 at the Etihad Stadium in December 2013 was a signal of intent as they went on to lift their second Premier League trophy in three seasons.
And with it tight at the top, a similar sort of performance this weekend would go some way to cementing their status as title favourites although Chelsea will have plenty to say about that.
For Arsenal, it is a different but familiar story with Arsene Wenger’s side looking for a rare win away to a top side in the hope of maintaining their challenge for that fourth and the final Champions League qualification spot.
Ahead of one of the most mouthwatering games of the season, we have come up with the Transfer Tavern’s combined Manchester City and Arsenal XI.
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Click on Pellegrini and Wenger to reveal The Transfer Tavern’s combined Man City & Arsenal XI.
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Joe Hart
Joe Hart could offer plenty of advice to Arsenal’s Wojciech Szczesny given little over 12 months ago he found himself in the same position as the Gunners keeper.
Hart was dropped from the City first team after a series of mistakes but has since rediscovered his best form to help Manchester City climb to within two points of the leaders Chelsea.
A good goalkeeper is often defined by the important saves he makes and Hart made a few critical ones in the title run in last season, further establishing himself as one of the best in the business.
Pablo Zabaleta, Vincent Kompany, Laurent Koscielny, Kieran Gibbs
Whilst Sergio Aguero and Yaya Toure get plenty of the plaudits, there is a strong case for Vincent Kompany being Manchester City’s most important player.
His absence is notable whenever he is out of action whilst the same could perhaps be said for Arsenal’s Laurent Koscielny.
The Gunners have struggled in his absence this season whilst the pair have the right balance of pace, power and leadership.
Kieran Gibbs is improving all the time and is now a serious contender for the England left back spot whilst it could be argued there is still no better full back than Pablo Zabaleta in the country.
Yaya Toure, Aaron Ramsey
Both have gone through indifferent spells at some point or another this season but at the peak of their powers it could be said there are no two better goalscoring midfielders in the Premier League.
Ramsey’s fitness struggles have been well documented but he has still popped up with some vital goals this season. He is yet to hit the goalscoring heights of last term but fortunately for Arsenal fans, he has time on his side.
Toure may be reaching the latter stages of his career but he has shown he is still capable of being that midfield powerhouse, capable of scoring some vital and wonderful goals.
Toure also has that defensive aspect to his game, a part in which Ramsey is looking to improve. The two would offer a good balance and plenty of threat going forward as the two in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Alexis Sanchez, Frank Lampard, David Silva
Alexis Sanchez is looking like the signing of the season so far, having fired 18 goals in all competitions already and single handedly dragged Arsenal towards the top four.
But with the Chilean costing in excess of £30million, City could yet finish the season boasting the best piece of their business with the loan signing of Frank Lampard.
The Chelsea legend is scoring goals that are keeping City in the title race and his contribution could well prove crucial come May.
Whilst it is impossible to leave out the highest scoring midfielder in Premier League history of of all-time, David Silva completes a trio of attacking players that basically picks itself.
Sergio Aguero
Whilst Danny Welbeck and Olivier Giroud have done little wrong when selected for Arsenal this season, Sergio Aguero is the standout candidate for the central striker’s position.
Perhaps considered the best in the Premier League, Aguero has fired 19 goals in 22 appearances this season. It is simply a case of whether City can keep him fit between now and end of the season. If they do, he could well be the man to bring Premier League glory to the Etihad Stadium once more.
