The 2pm games have finished. Spurs grabbed a late winner at Wolves to jump to fifth in the table, and the extraordinary Mason Greenwood denied Duncan Ferguson another victory as Everton manager.
The first email of the day
“Hi,” says Bill Hargreaves. “Clearly my message to Mesut to avoid Mark Lamarr’s barber went unread.”
In fairness, Bill, I think he has bigger concerns than your assessment of his hair.
Team news
Phil Foden starts a Premier League game for the first time this season.
Arsenal (4-2-3-1) Leno; Maitland-Niles, Chambers, Sokratis, Kolasinac; Guendouzi, Torreira; Pepe, Ozil, Martinelli; Aubameyang.
Substitutes: Martinez, David Luiz, Saka, Willock, Smith Rowe, Lacazette, Nelson.
Manchester City (4-3-3) Ederson; Walker, Otamendi, Fernandinho, Mendy; Gundogan, Rodri, Foden; De Bruyne, Jesus, Sterling.
Substitutes: Bravo, Zinchenko, Angelino, B Silva, Mahrez, Cancelo, E Garcia.
Referee Paul Tierney.
Updated
Preamble
Hello and welcome to live coverage of Arsenal v Manchester City from the Emirates Stadium. We know what to expect from this one: electric attacking, rococo defending and at least one passage of play that will have a profound impact on Graeme Souness’s Christmas cheer.
The 2019-20 season has thus far been a desperate disappointment for both teams. City are 17 points behind Liverpool, Arsenal are 17 points behind Leicester. Pep Guardiola looks like a man in need of a sabbatical, Arsenal are in urgent need of a permanent manager.
The mood is pretty bleak – unless you’re a neutral. Both these teams are highly watchable, even when they’re struggling. With the attackers (and defenders) on both sides, there’s 0.00 per cent chance this will end 0-0.
Kick off is at 4.30pm.
Updated