In an ideal world, Pep Guardiola would be able to field two full-strength Manchester City teams in the upcoming two Premier League fixtures, knowing the Champions League game sandwiched in between has absolutely nothing riding on it.
Arsenal's draw at Southampton at the weekend has given City a chance of finishing the first part of the Premier League season top of the league, with the Blues facing Leicester, Fulham and Brentford, and the Gunners facing a trickier run of Nottingham Forest, Chelsea and Brighton.
And with City's Champions League top spot confirmed, whereas Arsenal need at least one more result to top their Europa League group, the momentum appears to be in Manchester when it comes to ending the pre-World Cup fixtures on top.
