Daniel Sturridge
Former Liverpool striker on Sky Sports

There's difficult games in the title run-in for both teams, every single one of those games is going to be difficult.

The Man City and Newcastle games for Arsenal are going to be pivotal, psychologically, for them.

They have to come through unscathed. If they don't the belief is going to keep dwindling. City's belief is only going up.

We are talking about a team that has been there and done it so many times, I think the first-half performance [from City against Chelsea on Sunday] would have been a bit concerning, but the second-half performance [when they scored three goals in a 3-0 win], now they're going into next week feeling themselves.

Arsenal came agonisingly close to victory in last season's Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium.

John Stones scrambled home an equaliser in the eighth minute of stoppage time amid chaos and controversy to deny the 10-man Gunners a famous win.

In that game, City's midfield linchpin Rodri suffered a season-ending knee injury.

Pep Guardiola's side would go on to fall out of the title race by the turn of the year, but Arsenal were unable to capitlaise.

Instead, Liverpool came to the fore in their first season under Arne Slot to consign the Gunners to a third consecutive second-placed finish.

Image source, Getty Images

Daniel Sturridge
Former Liverpool striker on Sky Sports

When I look at Arsenal, I think to myself, you've experienced this before. There shouldn't be any naivety. I understand if this is the first rodeo, but this isn't the first rodeo.

The expectation from the outside is, they should win it this year. We are talking about a team that are six points ahead.

They cannot have any form of inferiority complex or a feeling of this team is better than us. You have to erase it. There's no way, shape or form they can be going into this game with any single bit of doubt.

That [Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City in March] was a one-off game, that is how you've got to look at it.

This is a title-deciding game. City have to win it, Arsenal don't have to win, they can get a draw and it is fine.

Image source, Getty Images

Yes, Manchester City won their most recent encounter in the Carabao Cup final, but Arsenal are unbeaten in their last five league matches against their title rivals.

This season's reverse fixture at Emirates Stadium in September ended 1-1.

Gabriel Martinelli scored a stoppage-time equaliser to cancel our Erling Haaland's early opener.

The last two league games between the two sides at Etihad Stadium have ended in draws.

You have to go back to April 2023 for Arsenal's last league defeat to City, but that result at the Etihad had a far-reaching impact on that season's title race.

Arsenal's last six league matches against Man City:

• Sep, 2025: Arsenal 1-1 Man City
• Feb, 2025: Arsenal 5-1 Man City
• Sep, 2024: Man City 2-2 Arsenal
• Mar, 2024: Man City 0-0 Arsenal
• Oct, 2023: Arsenal 1-0 Man City
• Apr, 2023: Man City 4-1 Arsenal

Despite this weekend's results - Arsenal losing 2-1 at home to Bournemouth and Manchester City winning 3-0 at Chelsea - Opta still has the Gunners as heavy favourites to win the Premier League title.

The Opta supercomputer says Arsenal have an 86.98% chance of winning the league for the first time since 2004.

While City are being given just a 13.02% chance.

Here's the remaining games for both sides...

I think it is fair to say that the majority of predictions we have had from you so far have been for a Manchester City win, but we have published a full set - a win for both teams and a draw.

Keep those predictions coming while we remind you about the title run-in for both sides and what statisticians Opta are predicting will happen...

"Arsenal can win the title next weekend at the Etihad," said Gary Neville on The Gary Neville Podcast.

"Maybe I've got more faith in Arsenal than Arsenal have got in themselves, but when you are in a title race, you're six games out and you've lost a football match, you've got to put it into perspective.

"I have thought for a number of years with this Arsenal team that they've got to go and win a game that shakes the world. They've got to go to City next week and win."

Image source, Getty Images

Pep Guardiola put it bluntly - this game is a must-win for Manchester City.

But Gary Neville believes that the real carrot is for Arsenal. Win and the title is theirs...

Let's have a bit of fun with this.

We want your predictions for Sunday's match between Manchester City and Arsenal at Etihad Stadium:

• What will be the result?
• How will the match be decided?
• What will be the implications for the title race?

Send us your predictions using the 'Get Involved' button.

We will publish a cross section and may well return to them on Monday in our reaction page, to see who predicted the outcome correctly and who was wildly off the mark.

Image source, Getty Images

What a game we have in store on Sunday.

Second-placed Manchester City host Premier League leaders Arsenal.

City trail the Gunners by six points but have a game in hand.

Win, and they cut that lead to three points.

City lose or draw and Arsenal regain the upper hand.

The title is on the line...

Right, well Keith as a Liverpool fan wants the title to go to London.

Isn't it funny how football loyalties can see you rooting for the most unlikely of clubs?

There is no doubt that Sunday's huge Premier League showdown between Manchester City and Arsenal at Etihad Stadium will hold plenty of interest for football supporters of all sides, not just the two involved.

With that in mind, we are going to switch our focus now towards this weekend's game between the top-flight's top two...

It was not all good news for Pep Guardiola and Manchester City at Stamford Bridge, though.

Nico O'Reilly pulled up holding his right hamstring just after the hour mark and was replaced by Rayan Ait Nouri.

The England defender had broken the deadlock six minutes after the break with a powerful header, his ninth goal of the season, following on from the two he scored in City's 2-0 win over Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final.

The extent of his injury is not yet clear, but any prolonged absence would be a blow to a City side already missing key defenders Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol and John Stones through injury.

O'Reilly's surging runs down the left, and into the box, have been a key part of City's upturn in form of late - Guardiola will hope the 21-year-old will make a quick recovery.