The Premier League is set to mark the start of the New Year with an explosive tie between league leaders Manchester City and fourth-placed Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, January 1.

After a very rocky start to the season that saw Arsenal lose the first three league games, the Gunners have steadily improved to bypass several contenders for the fourth spot. Going into the New Year, Arsenal sit fourth with 35 points, having won four of their last five Premier League games.

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However, the Gunners will be heading into their fixture against the reigning champions without manager Mikel Arteta, who tested positive for COVID-19 recently and is currently in self-isolation. Arteta’s loss might be a particularly impactful one, given that the fixture against City is likely to be a tie with tremendous tactical complexity and nuance.

Arsenal have lost their last four fixtures against Manchester City, and the reverse fixture saw the Gunners humiliated wherein they managed only one shot (off target) against the reigning champions.

City, meanwhile, sit at their perch on the top of the Premier League table with 50 points, having registered an astonishing ten back-to-back wins in the league. City’s dominant form of late has catapulted them to the top, and they are now eight points above second-placed Chelsea with the same number of games played. Given their form, City are of course favourites to win.

However, City manager Pep Guardiola downplayed his side’s chances of success against the Gunners, telling media on Thursday that Arsenal are “maybe one of the top teams right now…the best Arsenal in the last four or five years.”

He added, “I cannot say more than congratulations to the team but we must focus.”

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On the one hand, a win for City will see them extend their lead at the top to 11 points, with Chelsea scheduled to host Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. City are expected to go all guns blazing as an 11-point-lead would considerably increase the pressure on their title rivals Chelsea and Liverpool.

On the other hand, a win for Arsenal would take them within touching distance of third-placed Liverpool, who have a game in hand. Arsenal are currently four points clear of fifth-placed West Ham and will be looking to maintain or extend their lead in their quest for a Champions League spot, despite the challenge of facing City.