Good afternoon, everyone. Pep has been under quite a lot of pressure in the last few weeks and he faces a tricky task today with the visit of Arsenal to the Etihad.

Both teams need a win here. Antonio Conte’s Chelsea are rampant right now and neither side can afford to let the already-massive gap get any bigger.

This one is nicely poised.

The teams are in.

Here’s how the home side will line up.

And here’s what Arsene Wenger has elected to go with.

Manchester City team news:

A number of enforced changes for Guardiola. No Sergio Aguero or Fernandinho (suspended) while Ilkay Gundogan is a long-term casualty. They make two changes form the win over Watford midweek: Fernando comes into midfield while Leroy Sane comes in for Nolito.

Arsenal team news: 

Just the one change for the Gunners from their midweek defeat to Everton: Alex Iwobi comes into the side and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain drops to the bench.

Here’s City’s expected formation – a 4-1-4-1. But something tells me Guardiola will play around with that proposed plan and offer up a surprise or two.

Meanwhile, the Arsenal formation a little easier to predict. They’ll stick to this, unless plans radically need changing.

Some concern about City today. Without so many key players, Kevin de Bruyne as a makeshift striker and then there’s that defence…

John Stones was dropped for City’s game with Watford and he remains on the bench for this. That nightmare he had against Leicester has certainly had quite an impact.

Kolarov as a centre-half? All will be revealed.

Meanwhile, in Italy, Joe Hart has conceded five against Napoli.

KICK OFF! 

Underway at the Etihad and it looks like Raheem Sterling is through the middle for City currently, with de Bruyne a little deeper. The Belgian was slipped through by Toure moments ago but had to wait for support and the counter eventually came to nothing.

GOAL! Walcott!

Goodness me. Was just about to type how Silva was ominously popping up between the lines and City were doing well to get him in dangerous positions. At the other end, Sanchez picks it up on the edge of the area and plays a lovely, delicate pass through to Walcott who steadies himself before slotting home. City, again, so easily torn to shreds at the back.

CHANCE! City really should be level. De Bruyne does so well on the left side and manages to make a yard before sending in a magnificent cross to the far post. Sterling is there but can’t find the net from close range and Arsenal breathe a huge sigh of relief.

What a start to this. There’s a great zip to it and as much as City are behind, they continue to threaten Arsenal and find gaps. Silva, de Bruyne and Sterling are causing problems. They have a free-kick here though it’s a long way out for a shot.

It was a gorgeous little through-ball for Walcott and Arsenal would be minded to get that contract sorted asap.

They’re a curious case, Manchester City. With the ball, they appear dangerous and exciting. But they seem so frightened and vulnerable when Arsenal are on the attack. They don’t appear very confident in how they’re set up.

After a pretty electric opening, things have calmed down a bit. And that’s a good thing for City who are trying to string some passes together and find a way back into this.

A bit of pressure from City here and they’ve forced two corners in quick succession.

By the way, here’s what City did before kick-off. It’s worth pointing out that Gundogan isn’t actually dead but injured.

At moments like these, you really wish Roy Keane was a SKY pundit.

Almost a pretty sensational moment as Koscielny’s clearance smacks Bellerin in the head and ricochets back towards his own goal. Czech throws himself to his right and makes the stop.

De Bruyne takes a tumble in the area with Bellerin close by. Doesn’t seem to be much in it and it’s waved away.

BOOKING! David Silva picks up his second yellow card of the season after getting away with one earlier in the half.

A couple of half-chances for Arsenal in the last few minutes. Bellerin is the latest to try his luck as he races onto the loose ball after good work down the left from the guests. His shot lacks any real control, though, and flies well over the top.

And just like that, City hint at something. Leroy Sane hasn’t had much luck so far but he jinks between two challenges to make room and bursts down the right side. His low cross causes problems and eventually leads to a corner. The home side can’t make much of it, though.

Concern for Arsenal here as Sanchez is still limping after his challenge on Otamendi a few minutes ago. He’ll try and deal with it until the half-time break, which isn’t far away.

From the corner, Toure rises highest but puts his header straight at Cech.

HALF-TIME!

A half that started brilliantly but fizzled out.

Just before conceding after five minutes, City looked threatening but apart from a great opportunity for Raheem Sterling, they haven’t managed to create much.

Much more importantly for Pep Guardiola is how easy it’s been for Arsenal to find space in the final third. Iwobi is a threat on the left while Sanchez is a constant danger.

For the goal, Bellerin was allowed to casually stroll 40 yards before finding Sanchez, who neatly picked out Walcott with a terrific pass.

It’s clear that City are under-strength and are missing some crucial players. But what does that say about the massive amount of money they’ve spent on recent acquisitions?

A big 45 minutes ahead for Pep and his side.

Walcott has now overtaken Robert Pires on the Arsenal goalscoring list.

SECOND HALF!

GOAL! Sane!

We had a quick goal in the first half and we’ve got the exact same in the second. This time it’s for City and it’s all-too-easy. Czech’s goal-kick comes right back as Silva and Sterling exchange some tight passes. The Spaniard has a look up and pops a pass forward to Sane whose run seems a fraction too late. But the flag stays down and he does the rest. 1-1 and game on!

It’s tight but very rarely is the benefit of the doubt given to the attacker. It’s Bellerin who stops and decides against chasing back.

SUBSTITUTION! Bacary Sagna in for City for Zabaleta. The change happened at half-time but I was rudely interrupted by Sane’s equaliser…

City with their tails up here. Movement and energy a lot better and Arsenal have struggled to catch their breath.

CHANCE! De Bruyne slips it through for Sane but Cech is off his line quickly and manages to smother. A good stop but very concerning for Arsenal here as City effortlessly cutting them to shreds. Moments later, Sterling fires from long-range but it’s wide of Cech’s near post.

It’s wave after wave of attack. This time, Coquelin is easily brushed off the ball by Toure and Sane races clear after a lovely piece of skill. Arsenal need to take the momentum out of City’s game here, even for a minute or two, and they’re about to try by making a change.

SUBSTITUTION! Oxlade-Chamberlain (on) – Iwobi (off)

Like-for-like as the Gunners try to find some badly-needed impetus here. With so much joy coming down City’s right side, the Ox has some serious defensive responsibility on the cards.

CHANCE! That’s a firm hand from Cech low to his right and a really solid stop. De Bruyne’s shot did take a deflection and the keeper had to be quick on his feet to realign himself and get down to deal with it.

GOAL! Sterling! 

And there’s the turnaround. It all starts with De Bruyne, who rakes a magnificent ball to Sterling wide right. There’s not much on and he’s faced by Monreal. He jinks inside and onto his left and drives the shot inside Cech’s near post. It was coming.

SUBSTITUTION! Giroud (on) – Coquelin (off)

An expected move from Arsenal here and they’ll hope the striker can have yet another impact from the bench.

SUBSTITUTION! Navas (on) – Sane (off)

What a half Sane has had. The equaliser was crucial and, from there, it’s been all about City. He makes way for Navas and some fresh legs for the hosts here.

CHANCE! Navas has an immediate impact as he whips in a low cross to the near post. De Bruyne is hovering dangerously and it actually comes off the outside of the upright. City have been rampant since the interval.

SUBSTITUTION! Elneny (on) – Oxlade-Chamberlain (off)

Disaster for The Ox as a hamstring injury is forcing him off – just over 10 minutes after being introduced.

I wonder how much credit Pep will receive for turning it around at half-time? I’m guessing not much.

SUBSTITUTION! Iheanacho (on) - De Bruyne (off)

Rousing reception for the Belgian. He’s been superb in this second-half.

Five minutes plus interest left here. Do Arsenal have something left in the tank? Giroud gives them a direct target.

Arsenal suffered against Everton midweek and it’s another setback here. They’ll be nine points behind Chelsea and how Wenger will rue these two defeats. He’ll also have to put up with the inevitable and annual ‘bottle’ criticisms.

FULL-TIME!

So, back-to-back victories for Manchester City while Arsenal have to stomach successive defeats.

Credit to Pep Guardiola for the subtle changes he made at the break and he’s radiating positivity as he walks off at the Etihad.

The early second-half strike from Leroy Sane was crucial as it set the tone for the rest of the period. It was wave-after-wave of City attacks as Arsenal struggled to get anything going – so strange given the ease in which they found space in the opening 45 minutes.

Kevin de Bruyne was superb while Sane and Sterling shone too.

They move seven points behind leaders Chelsea and it was a badly-needed ‘big’ win for Guardiola as he has faced substantial criticism in recent weeks.

Thanks for staying with our coverage and there will be plenty more reaction on the site throughout the evening.