Man City 2-1 Arsenal as it happened: Sane and Sterling goals cancel out Walcott's opener ~ arsenal

MANCHESTER CITY beat Arsenal 2-1 at the Etihad as Tottenham faced Burnley in the other 4pm kick off. Relive all the action with Express Sport.

MANCHESTER CITY 2-1 ARSENAL FT

• Walcott (5') scored opener

• Sane (47') bundled home leveller

• Sterling (72') drove low for 2-1

• Manchester City XI: Bravo, Kolarov, Zabaleta, Otamendi, Clichy, Fernando, Sterling, De Bruyne, Sane, Silva, Toure.

• Arsenal XI: Cech, Bellerin, Gabriel, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Xhaka, Walcott, Ozil, Iwobi, Sanchez.

TOTTENHAM 2-1 BURNLEY

• Barnes (21') fires Clarets ahead

• Alli (26') nets equaliser for Spurs

• Rose (70') puts hosts ahead

• Tottenham XI: Lloris, Walker, Dier, Vertonghen, Rose, Wanyama, Winks, Dembele, Eriksen, Dele, Kane.

• Burnley XI: Heaton, Lowton, Keane, Mee, Ward, Boyd, Hendrick, Marney, Arfield, Gray, Barnes.

18.12.2016

15:38

Jamie Anderson

18.12.2016

Who will finish higher in the Premier League?

Arsenal (75 votes)

Manchester City (66 votes)

Tottenham (45 votes)
18:35

Jamie Anderson

That's all from us folks,

Join us tomorrow for LIVE coverage of Everton v Liverpool from Goodison Park.

Night!
18:34

Jamie Anderson

ARSENE WENGER

Of course I'm disappointed and frustrated.

We had a very good first half. We got caught cold. Today we conceded two offside goals. It's difficult to accept. I believe there's a lot [of 'bad' refereeing decisions] going on.

It's hard going into a game like that and you get decisions go against you.

They are professional and we are professional and have to stand up for our mistakes.

The first goal gave them a lot of hope. After that we suffered for 20 to 25 minutes. On Tuesday we suffered on set-pieces. Today we were unfortunate. What can you do about the offside goals?

We were a bit jaded physically. We played four games from five away from home.
18:32

Jamie Anderson

MAURICIO POCHETTINO

In the Premier League it is very hard to win games. Today we knew Burnley are a team that fights a lot, run a lot and every ball they are ready to challenge.

The team played in a very good way and we fully deserved the victory. I am pleased for that. It was a very difficult game.

They were great goals. I am pleased for that because to get three points was very important for us. We are fighting very close to top four and that is important.
18:26

Jamie Anderson

A certain Piers Morgan isn't too happy. Can you guess what he's angry about?
18:23

Jamie Anderson

The Mesut Ozil rampage continues. 10/10 for effort.
18:20

Jamie Anderson

PEP GUARDIOLA

I didn’t say anything to them at half time. I told them not to think about the score, I told them to keep going. Arsenal were lucky in the first half.

It was a Premier League game and a good game for everybody. It was similar to the game against Chelsea - then we played well and lost and today we won.

The guys give everything in every game. I'm happy to be City coach. In terms of spirit it's always there.

We liked to play today but it's not easy because of high pressing from Arsenal and they defend compact. When we have some of our players come back we will hopefully score more goals.
18:19

Jamie Anderson
18:15

Jamie Anderson

Spoiler Alert: Arsene Wenger is furious about conceding 'two offside goals'.

His full quotes to come shortly...
18:14

Jamie Anderson

FT: TOTTENHAM 2 - 1 BURNLEY

Analysis from our reporter Paul Brown, at White Hart Lane.

Spurs now unbeaten in their opening nine home matches of a Premier League season for only the second time. Fortress.
18:13

Jamie Anderson

PETR CECH

What changed was the early goal in the second half which gave them a lot of confidence.

For the second goal I didn't see the shot and there were people running across - I don't know if it was David Silva or not - I didn't see the ball because there was someone in front.
18:12

Jamie Anderson

WHAT?

Don't be alarmed Arsenal fans but Pep Guardiola and Alexis Sanchez have just embraced on the touchline.
18:09

Jamie Anderson

PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE

Right, what have today's results done to the table.

Manchester City have leapfrogged Arsenal and Liverpool into second position, although Jurgen Klopp's outfit can reclaim their spot with victory against Everton tomorrow night.

Tottenham's 2-1 win over Burnley leaves them just a point behind their North London rivals, and three ahead of Manchester United.
18:06

Jamie Anderson

FT: MAN CITY 2 - 1 ARSENAL

Analysis from our reporter Richard Tanner, at the Etihad Stadium.

Guardiola called Wenger the “commander in chief” before the game but the City boss won the battle of wits at the Etihad today.

City were a team transformed in the second half thanks to Guardiola's tactical tweaks as they sent the Gunners to back-to-back Premier League defeats for the first time since April 2014.

This was a re-run of Arsenal's midweek setback at Goodison Park. Again they were 1-0 up and looked in control but ended up being bullied to defeat. They hardly raised any resistance in a weak second half display.

Sane’s first goal for City two minutes after the break set the second half tempo for Guardiola's team and Sterling’s winner was as deserved as it was inevitable. But for Cech, City could have had more.

City move back into second place seven points behind Chelsea - for 24 hours at least - but Gunners fans will be thinking 'here we go again.'

Defeats for Arsenal now to Liverpool, Everton and City and they were outplayed for much of the undeserved draw at Old Trafford.
18:03

Jamie Anderson

YAYA TOURE

We became more and more aggressive and we dominated in the second half.

The tactics and desire was there after the break. Arsenal are very dangerous on the counter. The defence did very well today. We have a fantastic striker like Raheem.
18:02

Jamie Anderson

RAHEEM STERLING

We dug in there, stayed in the game and we got the win in the end. It was very good to get on the scoresheet today.

The most important thing was to get the win. I should have put the header away in the first half.
17:58

Jamie Anderson

FT: MAN CITY 2 - 1 ARSENAL

The venting has begun...
17:57

Jamie Anderson

FT: MAN CITY 2 - 1 ARSENAL

Mesut Ozil might want to steer clear of Twitter for a while.

The internet is NOT happy with him.
17:56

Jamie Anderson

STAY TUNED!

We've got all the post-match reaction coming your way shortly folks.

Can anyone else hear Arsenal FanTV going into meltdown? Can't wait to watch!
17:55

Jamie Anderson

FT: TOTTENHAM 2 - 1 BURNLEY
17:53

Jamie Anderson

FT: MAN CITY 2 - 1 ARSENAL

Analysis from our reporter Chris McKenna, at the Etihad Stadium.

Arsenal’s title challenge crumbling again after yet another performance in winter that they fail to show some fight.

Same story, different season. Only Alexis Sanchez tried for 90 minutes here.

City were off the pace in the first half but whatever Pep Guardiola said at half-time worked.

They showed aggression in the second half and Arsenal backed off. The class of Kevin De Bruyne certainly helped too.
17:51

Jamie Anderson

FT: MAN CITY 2 - 1 ARSENAL
17:50

Jamie Anderson

93: MAN CITY 2 - 1 ARSENAL

Gabriel earns himself a booking after running into the back of David Silva.

And that folks, should be that.
17:48

Jamie Anderson

92: MAN CITY 2 - 1 ARSENAL

Gary Neville thinks Arsenal have been passive during this second half. I think that's an understatement.

There's not been a glimmer of a chance for at least ten minutes.
17:47

Jamie Anderson

90: MAN CITY 2 - 1 ARSENAL

What have you got, Arsenal?
17:46

Jamie Anderson

88: MAN CITY 2 - 1 ARSENAL

Arsene Wenger is livid. His side should be gunning for an equaliser but instead Manchester City are keeping the ball with relative ease.
17:44

Jamie Anderson

85: MAN CITY 2 - 1 ARSENAL

Nicolas Otamendi concedes a silly free-kick on the edge of Manchester City's area after hacking down Mesut Ozil.

The German's delivery is met by Olivier Giroud but Claudio Bravo manages to punch the loose ball to safety.

Why haven't Arsenal been playing like this for the whole of the second half?

Mohammed Elneny is booked for a pretty nasty challenge on Fernando.
17:40

Jamie Anderson

83: MAN CITY 2 - 1 ARSENAL

Arsenal are staging a late rally with plenty of direct balls aimed at Olivier Giroud but the Frenchman is yet to convert one.

Pep Guardiola makes his final change with Kelechi Iheanacho replacing Kevin De Bruyne.
17:38

Jamie Anderson

80: TOTTENHAM 2 - 1 BURNLEY

Analysis from our reporter Paul Brown, at White Hart Lane.

Hard to see anything but a Spurs win from here. Danny Rose beats Tom Heaton at his near post after a storming run from sub Moussa Sissoko and Tottenham finally have the lead.

They’ve been on top all game but made hard work of it. Can they hold on? Burnley are being forced to take more and more risks.
17:40

Jamie Anderson

78: MAN CITY 2 - 1 ARSENAL

Ouch!

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been subbed 13 minutes after replacing Alex Iwobi. That's fairly humiliating for the poor fella. Elneny replaces him.

Meanwhile Jesus Navas replaces Leroy Sane, and Olivier Giroud comes on for Francis Coquelin.
17:37

Jamie Anderson

73: TOTTENHAM 2 - 1 BURNLEY - ROSE

Tom Heaton has finally been breached.

Moussa Sissoko slides Danny Rose through, who smashes the ball into the roof of the net.

Cruel for Burnley, who have played well, but deserved.
17:32

Jamie Anderson

75: MAN CITY 2 - 1 ARSENAL

You might not be surprised to hear there's controversy involved with Raheem Sterling's goal.

Replays show that David Silva ran across Petr Cech's line of sight and could have been responsible for his delayed reaction.

He didn't actually touch the ball though.
17:37

Jamie Anderson

72: MAN CITY 2 - 1 ARSENAL - STERLING

Have a go son, you might just score.

And that's exactly what's happened for Raheem Sterling.

Kevin De Bruyne plays a delightful cross-field ball, Sterling collects and drives at Nacho Monreal before beating Petr Cech at his near post.

All change please, all change.
17:26

Jamie Anderson

70: MAN CITY 1 - 1 ARSENAL

Petr Cech is forced into action again when scrambling away Kevin De Bruyne's deflected effort.
18:05

Jamie Anderson

70: MAN CITY 1 - 1 ARSENAL

Analysis from our reporter Richard Tanner, at the Etihad Stadium.

The mark of a good manager is to pin-point where it’s going wrong and put it right. Guardiola has made some changes at half-time and it didn’t take long to pay off.

Sagna came on for Zabaleta at right back, Sterling has been switched to the right flank, Sane to the left with De Bruyne is now playing as the false No 9.

And City look a side transformed. They took just two minutes to draw level. Sterling won the ball on the half-way line, passed it to Silva whose lofted a first time pass over the defence for Sane to use his pace and slide his shot past the advancing Cech.

It’s his first goal for City on his 13th appearance.

And he should have had a second after being put through by de Bruyne but Cech comes out to make a good save.

City are playing with far more pace and aggression and are pinning Arsenal back.

Wenger has responded by sending on Oxlade-Chamberlain for Iwobi but City are on the front foot now and their fans are responding.
17:24

Jamie Anderson

67: MAN CITY 1 - 1 ARSENAL

Arsene Wenger inexplicably decides to leave Mesut Ozil on the pitch and swaps Alex Iwobi for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

The German playmaker has been totally anonymous today.

A few minutes ago he shrugged his shoulders after giving more ball away on edge of own box.
17:52

Jamie Anderson

64: MAN CITY 1 - 1 ARSENAL

Analysis from our reporter Chris McKenna, at the Etihad Stadium.

City shake it up a bit at the top end of the pitch. Sterling goes out wide and De Bruyne is more central.

The Belgium forward is now more involved and creating openings for City.

Suddenly the home side are on top and the crowd is finally awake.

Could Arsenal crumble again under pressure? They need to get a grip on this game soon.
17:20

Jamie Anderson
17:19

Jamie Anderson

61: MAN CITY 1 - 1 ARSENAL - SAVE

Petr Cech comes to Arsenal's rescue after Kevin De Bruyne releases Leroy Sane on the left of the area.

The goalkeeper is on him like a rash and saves at his feet before he can properly connect.
17:17

Jamie Anderson

60: MAN CITY 1 - 1 ARSENAL

Alright, I might have been wrong about the offside but I just don't know - it's too difficult to tell.

Make your own minds up!
17:15

Jamie Anderson

58: MAN CITY 1 - 1 ARSENAL

The Gunners are giving away possession for fun here, and it's giving the Etihad crowd a HUGE lift.

You could hear a pin drop in the first half but that Leroy Sane equaliser has woken them up.

Arsenal need to regain their composure, quickly.
17:12

Jamie Anderson

55: MAN CITY 1 - 1 ARSENAL

He's warming up folks...

In other, more relevant news, Manchester City are looking to kick on and are dominating possession. Haven't managed to deliver the killer-ball yet though.
17:10

Jamie Anderson
17:08

Jamie Anderson

50: MAN CITY 1 - 1 ARSENAL

Yaya Toure is booked for dissent after a battle with Alex Iwobi didn't go his way.

Arsene Wenger looks furious on the touchline because unless his half-time team-talk was "let them score", his players haven't listened.
17:07

Jamie Anderson

47: MAN CITY 1 - 1 ARSENAL - SANE

Leroy Sane equalises for Manchester City immediately after the re-start.

David Silva threads him through with a wonderful pass and Sane calmly strokes past Petr Cech.

Offside? It's very, very tight but I think Laurent Koscielny is JUST playing him on.

Game On!
17:02

Jamie Anderson

45: MAN CITY 0 - 1 ARSENAL

We're back underway. Bacary Sagna replaces Pablo Zabaleta.
17:01

Jamie Anderson

HT: MAN CITY 0 - 1 ARSENAL

Analysis from our reporter Chris McKenna, at the Etihad Stadium.

There is a Christmas pudding running around the Etihad pitch.

Some sort of strange mascot race with a festive touch is giving the crowd something to laugh about.

They need cheering up after that first half from their team.
17:01

Jamie Anderson

HT: MAN CITY 0 - 1 ARSENAL

Spare a thought for Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany this Christmas time.

The defender has been injured for years and gets nothing while newbie Ilkay Gundogan gets a tribute before kick-off.
17:00

Jamie Anderson

HT: MAN CITY 0 - 1 ARSENAL

Theo Walcott is keeping some decent company these days.
16:58

Jamie Anderson

HT: MAN CITY 0 - 1 ARSENAL

Analysis from our reporter Richard Tanner, at the Etihad Stadium.

City have had plenty of the ball but have found it hard to break down the Gunners and Wenger will be delighted with the way his side have responded to their defeat at Goodison.

Cech hasn’t have a great deal to do apart from a comfortable save from Toure’s header just before the break.

But he was grateful for Gabriel’s vital interception to stop De Bruyne converting San’s cross after the young German had ‘nutmegged’ Monreal with some delightful skill on the right.

Biggest cheer came when Guardiola slipped over in the technical area passing the ball back and got up to acknowledge the laughs of the crowd.

The comedy continued moments later when Bellerin took the full force of Gabriel’s clearance in his face and Cech had to react smartly to stop the ball going for a corner.

Sterling is looking lively but needs a bit more support while Walcott and Iwobi are worrying City with their pace and skill on the flanks. Difficult one to call at the moment.
16:54

Jamie Anderson
16:53

Jamie Anderson

HT: MAN CITY 0 - 1 ARSENAL

Analysis from our reporter Chris McKenna, at the Etihad Stadium.

What has happened to Pep Guardiola? When he arrived at City he kicked every ball on the touchline and constantly pointed at where his players should move move.

Then it was going well.

He has just stood on the touchline all this game so far with his hands in his pockets.

Does he think his side don’t need such meticulous guidance now? They need some help here.
16:50

Jamie Anderson

HT: TOTTENHAM 1 - 1 BURNLEY

Victor Wanyama almost gives Spurs the lead before the break but Tom Heaton denies him with a decent save.

It's level at the break and Spurs have quite a bit of work to do if they're to beat Heaton, who's having one of those days.

Manchester United fans can verify that...
16:47

Jamie Anderson

HT: MAN CITY 0 - 1 ARSENAL

City win a corner on the stroke of half-time but Yaya Toure heads Kevin De Bruyne's delivery straight at Petr Cech. He was completely unmarked.
16:44

Jamie Anderson

43: MAN CITY 0 - 1 ARSENAL - CHANCE

Leroy Sane glides past a couple of Arsenal players before pinging a ball across Petr Cech's goal but nobody was there to apply the finish.

Where's Sergio Aguero when you need him? Oh, right...
16:42

Jamie Anderson
16:40

Jamie Anderson

41: MAN CITY 0 - 1 ARSENAL

Analysis from our reporter Chris McKenna, at the Etihad Stadium.

The game started so well but it has kind of fizzled out a bit. Not too many chances and not a lot of top quality.

City still look all over the place at the back when Arsenal go on the attack. More goals in this one.
16:39

Jamie Anderson

39: MAN CITY 0 - 1 ARSENAL

David Silva is booked for a cynical challenge on Francis Coquelin to prevent him from launching a counter-attack.

It worked.
16:37

Jamie Anderson

38: MAN CITY 0 - 1 ARSENAL

Sky Sports commentator, who's no stranger to ruffling a few feathers, has just commented on the lack of atmosphere inside the Etihad Stadium right now.

He's not wrong, you can actually hear Mesut Ozil adjusting his hair every 30 seconds.
16:35

Jamie Anderson

35: MAN CITY 0 - 1 ARSENAL

Everyone is waiting for this strong Manchester City response but nothing's arrived. They're about as threatening as a strongly-worded letter to the council about which days the bins are collected.
16:33

Jamie Anderson

30: TOTTENHAM 1 - 1 BURNLEY

Analysis from our reporter Paul Brown, at White Hart Lane.

It hasn't taken long for Spurs to respond. Just six minutes after Burnley's opener, Dele Alli fires them level after Kyle Walker was allowed to edge forward and cross unopposed down the right.
16:33

Jamie Anderson

29: MAN CITY 0 - 1 ARSENAL

Oh you silly boy, Granit.

The Arsenal star, Xhaka, petulantly kicks away the ball after committing a foul.
16:33

Jamie Anderson

27: TOTTENHAM 1 - 1 BURNLEY - ALLI

They weren't behind for long. Dele Alli levels the scores after sliding in Kyle Walker's drilled cross.

He's now scored as many Premier League goals at White Hart Lane this season as he did in the whole of 2015/16.
16:27

Jamie Anderson

27: TOTTENHAM 0 - 1 BURNLEY

Analysis from our reporter Paul Brown, at White Hart Lane.

Comedy of errors for Spurs, who have peppered the Burnley goal but find themselves behind.

Kyle Walker and Eric Dier are both at fault as George Boyd squeezed a cross in for Ashley Barnes, who reacted quickest to stab it home at the near post.

Against the run of play but Spurs only have themselves to blame, and the home crowd is growing restless.
16:25

Jamie Anderson

25: MAN CITY 0 - 1 ARSENAL

Analysis from our reporter Richard Tanner, at the Etihad Stadium.

The City players came out all wearing tops with the No 8 on them in tribute to their unfortunate team-mate Gundogan who has been ruled out for the season through injury.

City have actually started the game quite well but fell behind to a classic counter attack in the fifth minute.

Cech cut out a Sane cross and sent Bellerin on a surging 70-yard unchallenged run down the right flank. He found Sanchez who threaded a pass through City’s back four and Walcott had the time and space to take a couple of touches before sliding his shot past Bravo. City were carved open far too easily.

Sterling, not De Bruyne as expected, is playing as the false No 9 and he was inches away from equalising with a diving header from De Bruyne’s cross.

The game is flowing from end to end and we could have a classic on our hands. City haven’t got the personnel to bully the Gunners in the same way Everton did in midweek but should have enough talent to play them at their own game.
16:26

Jamie Anderson

21: TOTTENHAM 0 - 1 BURNLEY - BARNES

Erm, that wasn't supposed to happen.

Burnley have taken the lead courtesy of Ashley Barnes, who bundles the ball home from close range.

White Hart Lane sounds mystified, and I can hear the faint screams of Fantasy Football managers who were certain of a clean sheet.

It's Burnley's first away goal from open play this season.
16:21

Jamie Anderson

22: MAN CITY 0 - 1 ARSENAL

After that frantic start things have settled a bit at the Etihad.

Manchester CIty have managed to gather their composure and are probing away at Arsenal's defence... without much joy.

Tons of possession but no goals? That sounds familiar.
16:19

Jamie Anderson

18: MAN CITY 0 - 1 ARSENAL

It might encourage Manchester City fans to know that Arsenal haven't kept a clean sheet in any of their last 11 games.

But it won't please them to hear that Leroy Sane is offering almost no help to Pablo Zabaleta, who looks like he's going to keel over after sprinting 80 yards up, and 80 yards down the pitch.

Help him out, Leroy!
16:19

Jamie Anderson

16: TOTTENHAM 0 - 0 BURNLEY

It's only a matter of time at White Hart Lane.

It's Dele Alli this time who hits the post from close-range, after turning Victor Wanyama's header against the upright.
16:14

Jamie Anderson
16:13

Jamie Anderson

12: MAN CITY 0 - 1 ARSENAL - CHANCE

Everything good coking from Manchester City starts with Kevin De Bruyne.

The Belgian star stands up an inviting set piece which Yaya Toure can't keep down.
16:11

Jamie Anderson

10: MAN CITY 0 - 1 ARSENAL

Analysis from our reporter Chris McKenna, at the Etihad Stadium.

Guardiola doesn’t coach tackling. He doesn’t coach defending either judging by that opener from Arsenal.

Not sure what Otamendi and Kolarov were doing for that goal. It was easy for Walcott.

Guardiola slumped back in his seat. Could City’s title hopes be over before Christmas?
16:09

Jamie Anderson

8: MAN CITY 0 - 1 ARSENAL

These boys are going to be knackered at half-time.

Both Manchester City and Arsenal are playing at break-neck speed with the home side looking a good bet to level things up.

It's poised. That's what they say isn't it?
16:07

Jamie Anderson

6: MAN CITY 0 - 1 ARSENAL - CHANCE

Raheem Sterling should have drawn Manchester CIty level within two minutes but somehow directs Kevin De Bruyne's cross wide from five-yards out.
16:11

Jamie Anderson

4: MAN CITY 0 - 1 ARSENAL - WALCOTT

I was about to say that Manchester City have absolutely bossed the opening stages here at the Etihad, but they've been undone within five minutes.

Theo Walcott is picked out by Alexis Sanchez and he tucks the ball past Claudio Bravo.

I blame John Stones... even though he's not playing.
16:12

Jamie Anderson

3: TOTTENHAM 0 - 0 BURNLEY

Spurs should really be ahead.

Danny Rose finds Harry Kane, who lays it off for Dele Alli but the England international skews his effort.

Could be a long afternoon for the Clarets.
16:02

Jamie Anderson

3: MAN CITY 0 - 0 ARSENAL

The mystery of who will start up front for Manchester City has been solved.

It looks like Raheem Sterling is playing as a striker, with Kevin De Bruyne on the left flank.
16:00

Jamie Anderson

WE'RE UNDERWAY!

1: TOTTENHAM 0 - 0 BURNLEY
1: MAN CITY 0 - 0 ARSENAL
16:00

Jamie Anderson

Steady on, Joe.
15:59

Jamie Anderson

MAN CITY v ARSENAL

Here's a nice touch.

Manchester City players came out of the tunnel all wearing shirts emblazoned with the name of injured team-mate Ilkay Gundogan.

I don't even get a text when I'm off sick...
15:58

Jamie Anderson

MAN CITY v ARSENAL

Analysis from our reporter Chris McKenna, at the Etihad Stadium.

Pep Guardiola says he doesn’t coach tackling. Well, that is good news for Arsenal.

The Gunners fell apart on Tuesday when Everton got stuck into them.

They will probably fancy going toe-to-toe with Guardiola’s stylish side today.

A draw is not really what either side need after Chelsea’s latest win yesterday.

Should make for a good game here at the Etihad. Hopefully we get an early Christmas treat.
15:54

Jamie Anderson
15:53

Jamie Anderson

TOTTENHAM v BURNLEY

Analysis from our reporter Paul Brown, at White Hart Lane.

Burnley are yet to win away this season. But on top of that, they’ve only scored five times in their last 16 games on their top-flight travels.

It won’t get any easier for them at White Hart Lane where Tottenham are starting to find some form after sweeping aside Hull 3-0 here last week.

Spurs flop Moussa Sissoko gave perhaps his best performance for the club in that game, and told us afterwards how he feels he is finally getting to grips with what Mauricio Pochettino wants.

But he is back on the bench today with Harry Winks in the starting line-up. Dele Alli also starts, after being hauled off quite early against Hull.
15:50

Jamie Anderson

MAN CITY v ARSENAL

I don't know who's done this, but it's close to spoiling Christmas for me.

Pack. It. In.
15:48

Jamie Anderson

ARSENE WENGER

It could be spectacular.

But I believe it is a very important game for both teams so both teams will be very well organised and defend very well.

Against teams like that of course if you get three or four chances you have to put them away.

Our finishing has to be clear but let’s first try and create chances.
15:46

Jamie Anderson

MAN CITY v ARSENAL

Analysis from our reporter Richard Tanner, at the Etihad Stadium.

A big day for two City players who are at either end of their careers – Leroy Sane and Yaya Toure.

Sane, in for Nolito, has shown only in glimpses the talent that made him the Bundesliga’s wonder boy last season and prompted City to pay Schalke £37m for him in the summer.

City have won all three games 33-year-old Toure has started - at Crystal Palace, Burnley and at home to Watford - but the Ivorian gets a chance to show he can still cut it in the really big games and prove he can ease the loss of Ilkay Gundogan who has been ruled out for the season with a cruciate ligament injury.

With Aguero and Fernandinho both suspended and Nolito and Iheanacho on the bench, it looks like Guardiola will De Bruyne as a ‘false No 9’ – as he did in Barcelona earlier this season.

Significantly, Guardiola has kept an unchanged defence for the first time this season which means no place again for £47m summer signing John Stones.

Arsenal have made one change from their defeat at Everton on Tuesday – their first since the opening day of the season. Iwobi has come in for Oxlade-Chamberlain.

A draw would normally satisfy either team from this fixture at this stage of the season but with Chelsea stretching their winning run to 11 games, they will both think its ‘must-win.’
15:44

Jamie Anderson

MAN CITY v ARSENAL

What's the best new addition to football?

Video replays, goal-line technology, those little cans of spray that referees have?

No, it's quite clearly penguins playing with footballs outside the stadium.

That gets a big thumbs up from me. Well done, Manchester City.
15:40

Jamie Anderson
15:37

Jamie Anderson

TOTTENHAM v BURNLEY

Mauricio Pochettino has made two changes to the side who crushed Hull midweek.

Mousa Dembele and Harry Winks come in, with Toby Alderweireld and Moussa Sissoko missing out.

I'm reliably informed that Harry Kane ONLY scores when Dembele plays, so that's a good omen for Fantasy Football managers across the nation.

Meanwhile Burnley make just one change with Ashley Barnes replacing Sam Vokes.
15:35

Jamie Anderson

TOTTENHAM v BURNLEY

Tottenham XI: Lloris, Walker, Dier, Vertonghen, Rose, Wanyama, Dembele, Winks, Alli, Eriksen, Kane.

Subs: Son, Vorm, Nkoudou, Trippier, Sissoko, Wimmer, Davies.

Burnley XI: Heaton, Lowton, Keane, Mee, Ward, Boyd, Hendrick, Marney, Arfield, Barnes, Gray.

Subs: Flanagan, Vokes, Kightly, Defour, Robinson, Tarkowski, Darikwa.

Referee: Kevin Friend.
15:33

Jamie Anderson

ARSENAL TEAM NEWS

Arsene Wenger has resisted the urge to make drastic changes after the 2-1 defeat to Everton on Tuesday.

Alex Iwobi replaces Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the flank, with Alexis Sanchez continuing up front.
15:32

Jamie Anderson

MANCHESTER CITY TEAM NEWS

Pep Guardiola has made two changes from the side who beat Watford on Wednesday.

Ilkay Gundogan misses out through injury and is replaced by Fernando, while Leroy Sane comes in for Nolito.

So, by my calculations that makes Kevin De Bruyne a striker and Aleksandar Kolarov a centre-back? Good luck.
15:29

Jamie Anderson

MAN CITY v ARSENAL

Man City XI: Bravo, Zabaleta, Otamendi, Kolarov, Clichy, Fernando, Sane, Toure, Silva, De Bruyne, Sterling.

Subs: Sagna, Nolito, Caballero, Jesus Navas, Stones, Iheanacho, Garcia.

Arsenal XI: Cech, Bellerin, Gabriel, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Xhaka, Walcott, Ozil, Iwobi, Sanchez.

Subs: Gibbs, Lucas Perez, Giroud, Ospina, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Holding, Elneny.

Referee: Martin Atkinson.
15:28

Jamie Anderson

GOOD AFTERNOON,

Welcome to a packed Etihad Stadium...

The South-Coast derby has now been settled 3-1 in favour of Southampton and it's time to turn our attentions to the title clash between Manchester City and Arsenal.

Pep Guardiola v Arsene Wenger, Alexis Sanchez v Kevin De Bruyne, Laurent Koscielny v Aleksandar Kolarov…?

Ok, the last one isn't exactly enticing but there's no doubting this is a HUGE fixture.

We'll also be providing updates of Tottenham's battle with Burnley and have all the post-match reaction.

Let's get the ball rolling.