The Premier League season has been a rollercoaster of emotions, especially for Arsenal and their supporters as they seek their first glory since the Invincibles 22 years ago, but Manchester City remains in close attendance and could assume the mantle in a decisive Sunday clash.

Pep Guardiola's team blew away Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last weekend, ensuring they take full advantage of the Gunners home loss to Bournemouth earlier, and with a game in hand, a win in the Etihad will completely change the narrative around the title race.

Looking out of steam already, there is no room for Mikel Arteta's team to give up just yet, and their trip to Manchester this weekend could be their most important game so far, especially since they've not won at the Etihad since 2015.

It has been a good period at Manchester City. Guardiola's charge recently claimed the first domestic silverware of the season by beating Arsenal 2-0 in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley, while they also took care of business in the Emirates FA Cup, beating Liverpool 4-0 to reach the semis.

Their return to league action last weekend also saw them dispatch Chelsea 3-0 away from home, and if this season's numbers are anything to go by, this is the Manchester City at their very best.

It is the exact opposite for the visitors, who have won just one and lost three of their last five games across all competitions, their worst run since the start of the promising campaign until the Carabao Cup final loss to City.

Arsenal suffered only three defeats in their first 49 games of the season before as many in their last five games, and while Mikel Arteta is desperate to see his team return to their best, Pep Guardiola will be keen to take advantage of their mishap.

Stakes of the Man City vs Arsenal clash

Manchester City will know that a win on Sunday will put them in the driving seat to claim their seventh Premier League title under Pep Guardiola, especially if they win their game in hand and Arsenal continues to look lost.

Nevertheless, anything other than a win will not be good for their chances, although they could still hope Arsenal drops points in their other games, with the visit of Newcastle United next weekend one of their best bets.

For the Gunners, a win at the Etihad should get them home and dry, because then they'll need four wins from their final five games should Manchester fail to drop points in their own six games.

Physiologically, a win will do Mikel Arteta's team a world of good, especially in belief as they look to overcome their fears in the run-in, with an important Champions League semi-final doubleheader coming up against Atlético Madrid.

It is an important match for Arsenal, one that is poorly timed given the contrasting forms of the two teams, but they must find a way to leave the Etihad with at least a point if they are to become Premier League champions.

The pressure couldn't be higher ahead of Sunday. After seeing their quadruple dreams crumble in recent weeks with Manchester City the beneficiary of their losses, a win in their meeting will feel like reclaiming those results.

The home loss to Bournemouth complicated what looked like an inevitable coronation notwithstanding the result in the Etihad, and that means Arsenal will now have to do it the hard way. The way of true champions.

Injury updates for Man City vs Arsenal 

Manchester City are the overwhelming favourites heading into the match, even as they are set to be without Ruben Dias, who was also absent in the 2-0 victory in Wembley, but Marc Guehi will feature after missing the final due to technical issues.

Pep Guardiola has confirmed Nico O'Reilly's fitness and readiness for the match. The youngster has transitioned into Man City's most important player, especially in front of goal, where he has scored more than anyone for the club since the turn of the year.

Arsenal are set to be without Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber, while Martin Ødegaard returned to training on Friday after missing the goalless draw with Sporting CP in the UEFA Champions League in mid-week.

Noni Madueke is also expected to be available for the match after leaving the pitch due to what has been confirmed to be a dead leg in Wednesday's draw at the Emirates Stadium.

Head-to-head

Arsenal are unbeaten in their last five Premier League games against Manchester City, drawing their last two visits to Sunday's venue, where they have not won since Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud scored to give Arsene Wenger's team a 2-0 victory back in 2015.

Manchester City, against Arsenal, are on their longest winless run against any team since Pep Guardiola's arrival in the Premier League, but the recent Carabao Cup final victory makes them the favorite again, in a fixture the Spaniard surely knows how to win.

Pep Guardiola has won 13 of his first 14 Premier League meetings with Arsenal, including all seven at the Etihad before his first loss in the fixture, and since then he hasn't beaten them in the league.

With the possibility of stepping down at the end of the season not ruled out, this may not only be his final chance to beat them, but also his best shot at departing with another Premier League title to his name.

Prediction 

Manchester City are fancied to come out on top, especially with Arsenal really struggling in front of goal, but maybe the return of Martin Ødegaard and Eberechi Eze could inspire a change.

A 2-1 win for Pep Guardiola's team provided no upset, but in a decisive match like this, surprises should not be ruled out.