Manchester City vs. Arsenal: Bold Predictions for Premier League Showdown

Arsenal rides a run of good form to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday where they will face Premier League leaders Manchester City in a game that will define the Gunners' season.

The key for City is to contain the league's leading scorer, Robin van Persie, whose 15 goals is tied for the most ever in league history after 15 games.

For Arsenal, the key to victory is making Spanish midfielder David Silva work hard to make every pass and limit his effectiveness.

Both Silva and Van Persie are Player of the Year candidates, and will be crucial to their team's success on Sunday.

Let's look at three bold predictions for this epic clash of top Premier League teams.

1. Van Persie Scores a Hat Trick

The Dutch striker has been in amazing form this season, but scoring a hat trick against Manchester City at the Etihad would be his most impressive feat of the campaign.

It's not outlandish to think Van Persie could find the net three times against a City defense that is missing starting left back Gael Clichy to suspension and that has right back Micah Richards returning to the squad after missing two games with a calf injury.

Arsenal will make sure Van Persie is involved early, and a quick goal from the captain would not only raise his confidence, it could ignite the Gunners to a massive win on Sunday and move them back into the top four.

2. Samir Nasri Starts for City

Samir Nasri's refusal to sign a new contract in the summer led to his transfer to Manchester City, and the former Arsenal man has yet to become a fixture of Roberto Mancini's starting XI.

The Frenchman has not played too well this season, especially defensively, and has not earned a spot in the team ahead of Silva, Yaya Toure or James Milner.

However, against his former club Nasri will be quite motivated to perform well and show the manager he can be an important part of the club's success this season.

Nasri has not started many of the big games this season, including Monday's 2-1 league loss to Chelsea, but giving him a place in the starting XI on Sunday is a risk Mancini should take to ignite the young midfielder.

3. Arsenal Win, 3-1

The Gunners have been in exceptional form recently and are unbeaten in their last eight Premier League games.

Their confidence is soaring and Van Persie's great goalscoring gives the club hope every match.

New signings Gervinho and Mikel Arteta are really starting to fit in nicely with the club, and the team is playing really good football following a terrible start to the season.

Arsenal will get at the City back four and with the pace of Gervinho and Theo Walcott on the wings, the Gunners will present Van Persie with good scoring chances and he will not miss.

The Gunners will take this game 3-1 and climb back into the top four of the league table.