Chris Sutton and Paul Merson agree on Arsenal v Manchester City score prediction

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Arsenal and Manchester City are set to lock horns in a huge Premier League encounter at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

Over the past few seasons, this fixture has been considered a title decider of sorts between the best two teams in the country.

However, Manchester City are off the pace this season, sitting 15 points off top spot in fourth.

Meanwhile, Arsenal are currently second, though Liverpool’s win over Bournemouth has put them nine points clear at the top.

The Gunners will be desperate to win and keep the pressure on the Reds, while the Citizens will be eager to cement their spot in the top four.

Chris Sutton and Paul Merson have now predicted the result of Sunday’s match in North London, and the two pundits are in agreement.

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Chris Sutton and Paul Merson back Arsenal for 2-1 win over Manchester City

Sutton, writing on BBC Sport, has backed Arsenal to run out 2-1 winners over Man City and suggested a set-piece could prove crucial.

“This is a huge game for the Gunners,” began Sutton.

“In the past couple of seasons it has been a title decider when they’ve played Manchester City but this time only Arsenal’s title hopes are on the line.

“City have improved of late but I still look at them and think they are going to concede a goal, as Club Brugge showed on Wednesday.

“It was a great game when these two met earlier in the season and Leandro Trossard was sent off in a 2-2 draw.

“The readers will probably go for a 1-1 draw this time, I reckon, but I am going to pick a winner.

“It is the Gunners who I see taking this, and I wouldn’t be surprised if a set-piece proves crucial.

“Let’s hope City striker Erling Haaland can ‘stay humble’ if his team do end up being beaten.”

Likewise, Merson predicted a 2-1 win for the Gunners in his Sportskeeda prediction article.

“The crowd at the Emirates will be buzzing and they will demand nothing but a win against Manchester City,” wrote Merson.

“Let’s not forget that the pressure is always mounting on Arsenal with every passing week.

“They had to beat Aston Villa after Liverpool won late against Brentford and they ended up blowing a two-goal lead!

“Arsenal still have an advantage here because I don’t think Manchester City are back to their best yet.

“They may have improved results wise, but are they ready to trouble Arsenal? I’m not entirely sure. “

Arsenal v Manchester City team news

David Raya is a doubt for Arsenal after he missed the Champions League win over Girona with a muscular injury.

Neto deputised in the midweek game and could potentially start again if Raya is still unavailable.

Myles Lewis-Skelly is available after the red card he was shown against Wolves was overturned earlier this week.

Ben White, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Takehiro Tomiyasu remain on the sidelines due to injury.

Ruben Dias, Jeremy Doku and Nathan Ake have sat out recent games and all three remain unavailable.

January arrivals Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis can all feature again after being ineligible in the Champions League.