Arsenal face their most important game of the season in the Premier League title race as they face reigning champions Manchester City. The Gunners, despite their recent blip, remain top of the table with five points between themselves and Pep Guardiola's side, but that could become two on Wednesday evening.
While Mikel Arteta's men hold the advantage by having points on the board, City still have two games in hand where maximum points achieved will seem them leapfrog Arsenal. The only way to prevent that from happening is for the Gunners to rock up at Etihad Stadium and leave with the three points.
Form heading into the clash is also topical with Arsenal winless in their last three, while City have just knocked Bayern Munich out of the Champions League and secured a spot in the FA Cup final.
READ MORE: Arsenal can sign perfect Declan Rice alternative and complete Liverpool £35m transfer hijack
Ahead of the potentially title-deciding clash taking place, pundits have started to make their predictions for the result. Both Paul Merson and Chris Sutton, who post weekly predictions, have had their say with the latter believing City will secure the victory.
"After going three games without victory, Arsenal can approach this as if the pressure is off," Sutton wrote in his BBC Sport predictions column. "But that run of draws was so damaging, and you can see that doubt has kicked in. If the Gunners can win, it would be an incredible turnaround after what has happened to them in recent weeks."
Prediction: Manchester City 3-1 Arsenal
Merson, on the other hand, has backed his former team to get a shock result in Manchester which would see their title hopes remain alive and back in their hands. "This is a game that Arsenal cannot lose," Merson wrote in his Sportskeeda predictions column. If they lose, it's all over, and Manchester City can even afford a slip-up.
"There's still a lot of football to be played, but Man City are on a roll. They do have to face Real Madrid in the Champions League, however, and if they lose over two legs, it could knock their confidence.
"Nathan Ake hasn't been playing for City - he's kept Saka in his pocket in the last couple of games and he'll be a big miss. Leroy Sane and Kingsley Coman got to Man City when they faced Bayern Munich and were really dangerous. Arsenal are strong down both their flanks with Saka and Martinelli and could cause them a few problems.
"If this game ends in a draw, Manchester City will have to win both their games in hand to take the lead. It's a bit like when you're 5-3 down in tennis, and you need to hold your serve and make sure you don't break. Man City have been outstanding, but people do get nervous and the pressure can get to them.
"Arsenal get too confident at times, and they should have steamrolled West Ham and Southampton. You can't drop points like that when you're playing for a league title. They do have the players to hurt Manchester City, however, and I think they can get a result here."
Prediction: Manchester City 1-1 Arsenal
READ NEXT:
Every word Mikel Arteta said on William Saliba fitness, Granit Xhaka doubt and stopping Haaland
White and Saka battle, Vieira hint: Four things spotted in Arsenal training ahead of Man City
Jack Grealish weakness, Rob Holding alternative - how Arsenal can beat Manchester City
Latest Man City injury news as one misses Arsenal and Guardiola settles Erling Haaland question
Kolo Toure delivers prediction for Man City vs Arsenal title clash amid Rob Holding admission
