With the crazy chaos in the Premier League so far this season, the top end of the table has probably been the most wild and unpredictable. Leicester City are threatening to start pulling away in first place, and the chase for second place is so close you can barely fit a sheet of paper between Arsenal and Manchester City -- who just so happen to be set to play each other in London on Monday.
Arsenal vs. Manchester City 2015: Time, TV schedule and team news
The race for positioning in the top four is the focus of this match, with the second- and third-place teams going head-to-head with one point separating them coming in.
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Both Arsenal and Manchester have had somewhat iffy form of late and struggled with injuries, with each team only winning two of their last five league games. Both need to start turning that form around now, though, because neither team can afford to let Leicester start slipping away, or to allow the next pack of teams behind them to catch up. That much pressure and that high of stakes means that this match is going to be a testy one, so don’t be surprised if tempers flare and fireworks fly out on the pitch.
Key player -- Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)
With Sergio Aguero at less than 100 percent, David Silva scuffling a bit, and Samir Nasri still out, Sterling’s drive and skill out on the wing are going to be huge for Manchester in this match. His pace and skill will be a mismatch for Arsenal’s slower fullbacks, and if he can consistently get behind the Gunners’ back line, it’s going to be a very long, very bad day for Arsene Wenger.
Key matchup -- Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal) vs. Yaya Toure (Manchester City)
Two guys crashing up and down the pitch, controlling possession, driving the attack, and working to help shield the defense will inevitably wind up going toe to toe with frequency, and seeing these two battle for midfield dominance will be interesting to watch unfold. Recent form would seem to give the edge to Ramsey, but in a battle between two such talented midfielders, you can never count Toure out. Whoever wins this duel will probably help win the match for his team.
Arsenal injuries and suspensions
Out: Santi Cazorla, Francis Coquelin, Jack Wilshere, Danny Welbeck, Tomas Rosicky In doubt: Alexis Sanchez, Mikel Arteta
Manchester City injuries and suspensions
Out: Fernando Reges, Pablo Zabaleta, Vincent Kompany, Samir Nasri In doubt: Sergio Aguero
Arsenal are still as battered as they’ve been all season, especially in midfield. Things aren’t so bad, though -- at least their defense is healthy for a change. Manchester City can’t make that claim, with their captain and best defender Kompany out again, and Zabaleta still out as well.
Match Date/Time: Monday, 3 p.m. ET, 8 p.m. local
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London, England
TV: NBCSN (U.S. - English), NBC Universo (U.S. - Spanish), RDS 2, TSN 1, 3, 4, 5 (Canada), Sky Sports 1/HD (U.K.)
Online: NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S.), Sky Go (U.K.)
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