SHOWDOWN THEY CAN'T PLAY DOWN

ARSENAL V MAN CITY - 7.30PM, AMAZON PRIME

- Gideon Brooks

PEP GUARDIOLA and Mikel Arteta were adamant that, with February yet to pass and as many as 48 points still to play for, the season will not reveal all of its secrets tonight. 

But for the rest of us, ruled by hearts and gut, the feeling that we will at least catch a glimpse of the final outcome when Arsenal and Manchester City meet at the Emirates is hard to escape.

First against second, pretenders against the crown and apprentice challenging mentor and one-time master in Arteta and Guardiola – all parts seem in place to create a blockbuster.

It is hard to say with confidence whether the night finishes with Arsenal or City inflicting the blow that would go a long way to deciding the title. Such uncertainty has been fuelled by the relative trajectories of late. Arsenal, so dominant in the half of their campaign, have wobbled in their past two games, taking just a point from Everton and Brentford.