As the season has progressed you haven't exactly had to be Nostradamus to predict Arsenal's starting XIs. Seven of the Gunners' players have started all 19 of their Premier League games this season and since the World Cup Mikel Arteta has barely had to cope with so much as a sniff of a selection headache. That could all be about to change though
Arteta will want to reward the patience of his squad players, but then again, this is Manchester City. The theatre in which this battle takes place means it will be something of a Cold War when it comes to the title race, but the long-term implications could be huge.
Arsenal and City have been so tightly matched this season, that any psychological edge could be crucial going into their two league clashes over the next few months. Having been both predator and prey in the hunt for the title, Pep Guardiola's side probably have the mental upper hand ahead of those games, but a win for the Gunners on Friday night could change that.
