Pep Guardiola is expecting a "big battle" for his Manchester City team against Arsenal as the two Premier League title rivals prepare to clash on Wednesday. City are now just three points off the Gunners after taking advantage of Mikel Arteta's men dropping points against Brentford with a commanding win against Aston Villa.
A better goal difference for the reigning champions would mean a win at Emirates Stadium places them at the top of the league for the first time this season and Guardiola seems to already have the psychological advantage over his former City assistant coach.
The two teams met in the FA Cup fourth round at the end of January where Nathan Ake scored the only goal of the game to take City through. As for Premier League outings, the two teams are yet to face each other after the death of her majesty Queen Elizabeth II saw Arsenal's Europa League game against PSV postponed and then rescheduled in the mid-week Arsenal were supposed to play City.