Manchester City vs. Arsenal: Complete Preview, Live Stream and Start Time

Titans of the English Premier League are set to clash when Manchester City and Arsenal meet at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

The Gunners have shot up the table of late, parlaying a quality run of form into an eight-match unbeaten streak in league play. City, on the other hand, have been somewhat exposed of late, with a draw against Liverpool at Anfield and a loss to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge—their first such result of the season—giving reason for the rest of British football to believe that the "noisy neighbours" might not be so untouchable after all.

These two sides met at the Emirates Stadium in North London in late November, with the Citizens knocking the Gunners out of the Carling Cup by way of a strike by Sergio Aguero in the 83rd minute. Arsenal and Man City played to a 0-0 draw in their last league fixture back in January.

Where

The Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England

When

Sunday, December 18th at 11:10 a.m. EST

Watch

FSC, Fox Deportes, Sportsnet World, Sport TV1, Sky Sports 1/HD,ESPN HD Brasil, SuperSport 3, Abu Dhabi Sports, Sky Sport 1 Germany, Canal+ Sport, Sport.TV Liga Inglesa, Sky Sport 2 HD Germany, Canal+ 1 / HD / 30, SuperSport HD 3, SuperSport Maximo, Sky 3D, J Sports 2, SuperSport 3 Africa, SuperSport 3 Nigeria, SuperSport 10, SuperSport Internet 3, SuperSport HD 3 Nigeria

Live Stream

FoxSoccer.tv

Player to Watch for Manchester City: Sergio Aguero

Of all the international stars to have made their way into the EPL this season, Sergio Aguero may yet be the most dazzlingly effective of all.

"Kun" has cobbled together 11 goals in 14 league appearances for the Citizens, thereby making him the club's most prolific scorer despite the fact that he so often has to split time with Edin Dzeko and/or Mario Balotelli.

As mentioned previously, the 23-year-old Argentine was responsible for eliminating Arsenal from the Carling Cup when last these two big-money sides met on the pitch.

Player to Watch for Arsenal: Robin van Persie

Don't just watch Robin van Persie—actively enjoy Robin van Persie.

The Dutch talisman has almost single-handedly lifted Arsenal out of their early-season funk and into contention in the ever-strengthening EPL.

All the while, RVP has asserted himself as the best player in Britain right now, as he leads the league with 15 goals in 15 fixtures. At this rate, van Persie may well challenge Lionel Messi for Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year Honors.

Key Matchup: RVP vs. Man City's Back Line

For all the talk about City's loaded attack, it's easy to forget just how good their defence has been. Chelsea were just the second club this season to put through more than one goal against Roberto Mancini's side, which demonstrated a distinct lack of discipline at Stamford Bridge.

For that, Man City will be without former Gunner Gael Clichy, who was sent off against the Blues after picking up two yellow cards in an 11-minute span.

Clichy's absence will leave the Citizens somewhat shorthanded as they look to hold down van Persie, who has tallied 18 goals in his last 16 matches away from the Emirates.

Expect City captain Vincent Kompany to have his hands full with RVP all evening.

What They're Saying

Another week, another controversy with Mario Balotelli at the eye of the storm.

This time, Balotelli's hot head got him caught in a dust-up with City 'mate Micah Richards. According to ESPN Soccernet, the two went toe-to-toe at the end of training on Thursday, with Balotelli (of course) playing the role of instigator by way of his sharp tongue.

Richards, though, has since taken the high road, letting the world know via Twitter that he and Super Mario are on good terms.

As for the Gunners, the approach of the January transfer window has brought with it plenty of speculation regarding whom Arsene Wenger will pursue with the funds remaining from the sales of Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona and Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy to City.

Most expect Wenger to pursue a full-back or two, given the Gunners' lack of healthy bodies at the position—they currently have four natural centre-backs playing the line.

However, Wenger isn't opposed to adding depth to his attack, which has become something of a wasteland behind RVP:

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"We lose players like Chamakh and Gervinho to the Africa Cup of Nations, so hopefully touch wood we do not get any injuries to our strikers. But if an opportunity turns up in that department then we will buy."

"The situation, I must say, is a bit special. Economically, the whole environment has changed and people suffer more. The clubs will suffer more financially and it's much more difficult."

"Maybe we will have some opportunities because we are in a good financial situation."

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Prediction: Manchester City 1, Arsenal 1

Arsenal are on better form than City, though the location of the match and the fact that the Gunners have so many players out of position will negate any clear advantage in overall form as a squad.

Still, Arsenal will keep their unbeaten streak alive while allowing the rest of the EPL to close the gap with the "noisy neighbours."

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