Live commentary:EPL SUPER SUNDAY CLASH BETWEEN ARSENAL AND MANCHESTER CITY

Live commentary

Live text updates of the Super Sunday clash between Arsenal and Manchester City. Live on Sky Sports 1 from 3.30pm.

• Arsenal v Man City (4pm)
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15:07

ONE CHANGE FOR CITY

Jesus Navas replaces Yaya Toure in Pep Guardiola's only change. That means Leroy Sane, Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling all retain their places in the side. Vincent Kompany is on the bench.

15:04

THREE CHANGES FOR ARSENAL

Arsene Wenger makes three changes to the side that lost to West Brom before the international break. David Ospina replaces the injured Petr Cech in goal, while Mesut Ozil returns in place of Aaron Ramsey and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain loses his place to Francis Coquelin.

15:01

MAN CITY TEAM NEWS

Team to play Arsenal: Man City: Caballero, Jesus Navas, Stones, Otamendi, Clichy, De Bruyne, Fernandinho, Silva, Sane, Aguero, Sterling. 

Subs: Bravo, Kompany, Zabaleta, Nolito, Kolarov, Delph, Toure

15:00

ARSENAL TEAM NEWS

Team to play Man City: Ospina, Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal, Xhaka, Coquelin, Walcott, Ozil, Welbeck, Sanchez.

Subs: Gibbs, Gabriel, Giroud, Iwobi, Martinez, Elneny, Maitland-Niles.

14:59

AN HOUR TO GO

Just an hour until we get started at the Emirates. Cancel the rest of your afternoon plans...

14:56

TEAM NEWS ON THE WAY

Will Leroy Sane start? What about Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez? We'll bring you the news in less than five minutes, as the away fans make their way into the ground through THESE doors. 

14:53

PAUL MERSON'S PREDICTION

As ever, we've asked Sky Sports' Paul Merson to call the game - and it's not good news for his former club.

"This is a huge game. I only know one thing for sure in this game, it won't be 0-0. It's as simple as that. I think both teams going forward will hurt the other team, similar to City's game at the Etihad against Liverpool, lots happening and a lot riding on it.

"But I think City will hurt Arsenal on more occasions. Manchester City don't go anywhere and play for a draw, and neither do Arsenal, but I just think the way the Gunners are so open and lacking in confidence, you dread to think what the score could be if City go 1-0 up early on."

PAUL PREDICTS: 1-3

14:51

CLASSIC ARSENAL v MAN CITY GOALS 

We're hoping for a few more like these later on...

14:44

RONALDO OR QUINN?

Was the statue unveiled in Madeira this week supposed to be Cristiano Ronaldo or our very own Niall Quinn????

14:41

STERLING EXCLUSIVE 

Here's another cracking exclusive interview - and one which might make you change your mind about Raheem Sterling. He spoke very well to Sky Sports this week on his desire to improve.

14:39

THIERRY IS HERE

In a week of bad football statues, here's a pretty good one. The legendary Thierry Henry is part of the Sky Sports team this afternoon and you can hear what he's got to say about Arsenal from 3.30pm on Sky Sports 1.

14:37

CITY HOPEFUL ON DUO

Kevin De Bruyne (groin) and Raheem Sterling (back) are both in contention. The pair were doubtful after picking up injuries on international duty but, while not 100 per cent fit, are hopeful of featuring. Defender Pablo Zabaleta has also overcome a knock suffered while with Argentina.

We'll bring you CONFIRMED team news right here at 3pm.

14:36

NO CECH FOR ARSENAL

Arsenal will be without first-choice goalkeeper Petr Cech after he was forced off with a calf injury during the 3-1 loss at West Brom before the international break and has not recovered in time, so David Ospina will deputise.

Forward Lucas Perez (thigh) has also been ruled out but both Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez should start having represented their countries in the past week, while Santi Cazorla (Achilles) will not play again this season.

14:33

GUARDIOLA EXCLUSIVE 

Loads of exclusive stuff for you to enjoy ahead of the game, including Patrick Davison's chat with Man City boss Pep Guardiola, who says winning trophies is more important than his philosophy

14:30

'VICTORY THROUGH HARMONY'

So says the banner outside the Emirates Stadium. There might not be too much harmony among a crowd divided in their opinions over Wenger's future. but will there be a victory for them to enjoy?

14:28

WENGER v GUARDIOLA

Pep Guardiola and Arsene Wenger go head-to-head for the 10th time today. Having previously met several times in the knockout stages of the Champions League, the duo faced off domestically for the first time in December, with Man City coming from behind to beat Arsenal 2-1 at the Etihad in the Premier League.

That defeat means Wenger has only won two of nine matches against Guardiola. 

Here's a look at all their previous encounters...

14:25

SUNSHINE IN NORTH LONDON

The Emirates is basked in sunshine today. Our live blog is coming to you direct from the ground and we can confirm the playing surface is pristine.

14:20

WENGER: NO EXCUSES

Speaking to Sky Sports' Geoff Shreeves this week, Arsene Wenger says talk of his future cannot be used as an excuse for poor performances.

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14:19

COVER STAR SANCHEZ

Alexis Sanchez's future has also been discussed in recent weeks - yet he adorns today's programme cover.

14:18

WENGER'S PROGRAMME NOTES

Arsene Wenger has been the subject of plenty of discussion over the last few weeks. In today's match programme he says the last few weeks have been "one of the most difficult I have ever known". Would defeat today put him closer to the exit door or strengthen his resolve to stay?

"We’ve had a difficult period – we have to acknowledge that. We have come out of a very tough period, a very disappointing one – maybe one of the most difficult I have ever known on the results front. But we also went 19 games unbeaten at the start of the campaign, so it’s been a strange season. 

"We have to remember that we have the qualities to bounce back. I also believes the players have the human qualities and the mental qualities to show our strength and the game today is a good opportunity for that. We have a very important period coming up until the end of the season, and the two games in hand we’ve got will have a huge impact later in the season too. The games come thick and fast now, so if we can go on a good run at this stage, it can have a very positive effect."

14:08

ARSENAL v MAN CITY 

This should get you in the mood...

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14:08

HOW TO FOLLOW IT

We'll bring you news and updates from the Emirates throughout the afternoon right here and if you're following us on a mobile device you can log in to see video highlights throughout the match.

Of course, the best way to follow the game is live on Sky Sports 1. Thierry Henry and Niall Quinn are with Dave Jones in the studio and Gary Neville joins Martin Tyler in the commentary box. Coverage starts at 3.30pm following Swansea v Middlesbrough.

14:05

IS THE TITLE RACE BACK ON?

"It makes this more interesting in the championship."

Those are the words of Chelsea boss Antonio Conte after his side's shock loss at home to Crystal Palace yesterday. Manchester City know they can close the gap on the leaders to six points if they beat Arsenal today and then Chelsea on Wednesday night. Interesting indeed...

Sixth-placed Arsenal are just trying to stop the rot. Amid endless speculation over the future of Arsene Wenger, they've lost four out of five and their hopes of finishing in the top four are in jeopardy. Join us for a HUGE game this afternoon.