Man City vs Arsenal – Premier League: Live score, team news and updates from a critical match in the title race where a win for either side could see them take control at the top of the league

Warm-ups are underway, the anticipation is building.

I can’t wait for this one, can’t we just skip the normal process before the game and fast-forward to kick-off?

They don’t really need to warm up, do they?

Earlier this week we wrote a feature on the battle between Rodri and Declan Rice… it feels like everybody has been talking about it.

I have already written a post on the two, but I want to hear what you think.

Who would you rather have in your side?

This is what is at stake for both Manchester City and Arsenal.

It won’t be decided today, and don’t forget about Liverpool, but both sides will be desperate to make sure they don’t slip up today.

The pressure is on, the trophy is in the building.

Today of all days would be a perfect one for Gabriel Jesus to return to action.

Jesus hasn’t started a Premier League match since late January, but he is being trusted by Mikel Arteta today.

It’s not been the best of seasons for the 26-year-old, he has only netted four Premier League goals this season.

Can he add to that tally against his former side?

Oliver Holt, Mail Sport Cheif Sports Writer, at the Etihad Stadium:

The Liverpool-Brighton match is not being shown on the concourses at the Etihad but it might as well be. Inside and outside the ground, on the trams coming to the stadium, fans are monitoring what is going on at Anfield.

This could be a pivotal day in the title race, especially as City-Arsenal marks the last time two of this season’s big three will face off against each other during this campaign. This was where the title dream effectively came to an end for Mikel Arteta’s team last April but there is a feeling they are made of sterner stuff almost one year on.

Jack Gaughan, Mail Sport, at the Etihad Stadium:

A bit of confusion here in the hour before the teams came out as it emerged that Ederson hadn’t made it – despite Guardiola’s suggestion that he was “much, much better”.

And John Stones is on the bench – despite Guardiola ruling him out. Fun and games.

Well, well, well… a familiar face returns to the Etihad as Gabriel Jesus starts for Arsenal.

Going by the line-up it looks like the former City man will be deployed at left wing, very interesting.

Gabriel Martinelli is fit enough for the bench and that squad is very strong, if I may say so.

Pep Guardiola loves the mind games.

So, John Stones is fit enough to make the squad, however, Ederson is not.

It looks like Josko Gvardiol will be deployed at left-back while Manuel Akanji fills in for the injured Kyle Walker.

There is so much talent in this side.

Arsenal have arrived and going by the stern look on their faces they mean business.

I suspect Mike Arteta will deploy his full-strength side today at the Etihad, we will find out in just five minutes.

Arsenal fans, who do you want to see start?

It seems rather peaceful inside the ground at the moment. I can assure you, it won’t be later.

Arsenal haven’t won here since 2015 – they will be desperate to change that today.

Sami Mokbel, Mail Sport, at the Etihad Stadium

There’s an opportunity for Arsenal today. Indications on Thursday were that Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Magalhaes would be available today following their respective injuries.

City, in contrast, have injury concerns. You get the sense the stars are aligning for Arsenal. Big day ahead.

Oh hello, was Pep Guardiola having us on?

Jack Gaughan, Mail Sport, has revealed that John Stones is with the squad at the Etihad.

Will he be fit enough for the bench, or to even start?

The international break was not kind to Manchester City.

Both Kyle Walker were forced off during England’s matches against Brazil and Belgium.

Many thought that maybe they would magically be fit for today’s big clash, but Pep Guardiola has confirmed that is not the case.

Ederson is much better but Kyle and John are out. It is what it is.

For Kyle, it will be tougher than John (in terms of recovery), but I don’t know for how many games he will be out.

I love little graphics like this, they are snazzy.

This one put together by Manchester City shows their dominance in this fixture in recent times.

What this also lets us know is to expect goals!

Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta nearly won everything together at Manchester City.

Now, their respective teams are battling against each other ‘hammer and tong’ for the Premier League title.

It’s clear to see Arteta has taken a lot from Guardiola, but is now spreading his own wings and has created a clear Arsenal identity.

I must say, I didn’t envisage Arteta being as much of a success as he has, but boy has he proved me wrong.

That success will be rubber-stamped if he brings the title back to the Emirates.

You feel the Gunners can’t lose today if they are to make that happen.

There is no doubt that Arsenal have struggled against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City over the years.

City have won 12 out of the last 13 meetings between the sides, so it has been pretty one-sided.

What happened in that one other fixture, you ask?

Well, that match happened earlier this season, and Arsenal finally got their win against the Champions thanks to Gabriel Martinelli.

It’s fair to say that there was the definition of ‘limbs’ that day from the supporters.

They were incredible scenes, can Arsenal repeat the trick today?

There are going to be battles all over the pitch today, but none more pivotal than the one between Rodri and Declan Rice.

The two players are arguably the best in the division at what they do, and it will be interesting to see what happens when they collide today.

We were robbed of seeing a showdown between the two players when Arsenal beat Manchester City 1-0 earlier in the season, as Rodri missed the match through injury.

I feel whoever wins this battle, will win their team the game.

Jack Gaughan, Mail Sport, at the Etihad Stadium:

The press room filling up already, still two hours to go.

This just shows how big today is…

I was just about to post that Liverpool were behind at Anfield, Luis Diaz has just changed that.

Danny Welbeck stunned Anfield into silence after just two minutes to fire Brighton into the lead.

However, Diaz has just fired Liverpool level and got the crowd going again.

The Reds can’t afford to slip up with their title rivals facing off later today.

To follow the enthralling match at Anfield, check out our live blog below.

At the start of the day, just one point separates the top three in this incredible title race.

Today is the final time any of these three will face the other, we have to savour it. They have all been sensational this season.

How will the top three be looking come 6.30pm?

There are three teams in this title race, so technically this isn’t a ‘title decider’, but it may as well be.

Whoever wins today will go a long way to boosting their Premier League title hopes. This match is massive.

With only 10 games to go, any slip-up now could be catastrophic.

These two battled it out last season for the title with City coming out on top in the end.

However, could this year be different, have Arsenal learned from their failures of last year’s run-in?

The anticipation for this one is through the roof.

This is the match we have all been waiting for.

Ever since the final whistle was blown on Liverpool and Manchester City’s 1-1 draw at Anfield, all eyes have been on the monumental clash between the Citizens and table-toppers Arsenal.

The stakes are at their absolute highest. Arsenal win, they go four points clear of City in third. City win, they leap-frog Arsenal, but until we know the result between Liverpool and Brighton, we don’t know into which place.

This campaign’s three-way title race is one of the best we have ever witnessed, will today open it up once more, or close the gaps even tighter?

There is no better way to celebrate Easter than to follow a title six-pointer while scoffing Easter eggs – I have mine on standby at home.