Walcott and Giroud fire Arsenal to victory over Man City

“Arsenal with the second best defensive record at home in the Premier League”.

Manchester City could have striker Sergio Aguero available after the Argentine returned to full training following a heel injury.

But it was a bleak evening for City manager Manuel Pellegrini, who once again saw centre-backs Eliaquim Mangala and Nicolas Otamendi struggle in the absence of injured captain Vincent Kompany.

“You can see there is an exceptional life in this team”, said Wenger, who confirmed that Alexis Sanchez would remain on the sidelines until at least 10 January. We have to accept that [having our character questioned is] part of it but we have to give our answer on the pitch week-in week-out and that [criticism] will slowly die.

Both managers dismiss it, but Manchester City’s trip to Arsenal on Monday is being billed as a clash between the two teams most capable of lifting the Premier League title.

“We believe in us”. The Citizens might not be in their best form but they are still an elite side and both sets of fans will know this will be a tough game to win. One of the biggest reasons this Arsenal team feels different than many over the last decade is that for the first time since the days of Henry and Dennis Bergkamp, Arsenal has a true world class player who would be the best player on nearly every team in the world.

Arsenal forward Theo Walcott is delighted with his side’s 2-1 win over Manchester City and has paid special tribute to Mesut Ozil, who won the Man of the Match award, dubbing him able to see things other players can’t.

City have now lost five games and no side has won the title having suffered so many league defeats before Christmas since Everton in 1986-87, although Pellegrini was unruffled.

Key Stat: Arsenal are unbeaten in their last four meetings with Manchester City, winning by an aggregate score of 8-3 over those matches.

Manchester City put Arsenal under real pressure as the clock ticked down, the Gunners only defending.

But Arsenal hung on to take another vital three points and remain on the coat-tails of surprise leaders Leicester heading into the festive fixtures. With two assists in the first half, Ozil’s tally for the season rose to 15 in league play (tops in all major European leagues).

Giroud has scored in eight of his last 12 league appearances for Arsenal and has 11 goals in his last 13 outings for the club in all competitions.