Gary Bowyer
Former Blackburn manager on BBC Radio 5 live

"Pep Guardiola and Arsenal does seem like a perfect fit. It would be something maybe where Arsene Wenger was fully incorporated, moved upstairs. 

"Guardiola could build on what Wenger has achieved already. Wenger is one of the greatest managers we’ve had in this league. 

"People are quick to forget what he’s achieved. I’ve seen too much from him to say they can’t win the league again under him."

Image source, Getty Images

Could Pep Guardiola be managing either of these two teams next season? It's football's worst kept secret that Manchester City quite like the look of Pep, but now it's being reported that the ex-Barca and current Bayern manager might be heading to Arsenal.

Image source, Getty Images

Here's what Manuel Pellegrini said ahead of today's game...

"We must consider Leicester - they are still top of the table," said Pellegrini. "United are just a few points behind us. Tottenham can be involved, so can Liverpool and Crystal Palace.

"It's impossible just to think there are two teams involved in the title."

Did he really suggest Crystal Palace are title contenders or has the mince pie I've just eaten got too much of the good stuff in it? 

Phil Neville
Former Manchester United defender

"Coping with injuries is key, especially if you are in European competitions as well. Vincent Kompany is a massive loss for City but now they have Sergio Aguero back. I fancy City's midfield tonight, they look a powerful team tonight. We have not seen a big performance from them in the league for some time. Tonight could be that night."

Guess Trev hasn't seen that stat about Flamini below then...

Danny Mills
Former Man City defender

"Sergio Aguero is the pinnacle, the focal point of Manchester City. Can you play Raheem Sterling, David Silva, Kevin de Bruyne and Aguero in the same team? It is very difficult. Both teams will attack, both will score goals - it will come down to who can defend the best."

Image source, EPA

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at Emirates Stadium

Interesting call from Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini to leave £49m signing Raheem Sterling on the bench as Aguero returns from injury.

He will at least give City pace and threat as an option off the bench should Pellegrini need him.

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal name an unchanged team from last weekend's 2-0 win away to Aston Villa as Aaron Ramsey and Mathieu Flamini continue in place of the injured Santi Cazorla and Francis Coquelin in central midfield.

The big news for Manchester City is the return of Sergio Aguero who plays for the first time since the 3-1 win over Southampton at the end of November.

Elsewhere Raheem Sterling and Jesus Navas are replaced by Fabian Delph and Kevin De Bruyne in midfield and Aleksandr Kolorov comes in for Gael Clichy at left-back.

What is it about Arsenal and injuries? Manchester City and injuries, for that matter.

The Gunners suffered another blow this weekend when it was confirmed that Danny Welbeck's return following knee surgery has been pushed back again.

Welbeck has been out since April and the Gunners boss thinks it will be February before the 25-year-old is fit.

Wenger had initially said the England international would be fit in September before revising the date to Christmas.

"He is still not available because of a bone bruising," Wenger said. "That deteriorated and it is a big blow to us because we cannot rotate."

A big blow.

Image source, Getty Images

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at Emirates Stadium

Contrasting fortunes for Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and his Manchester City counterpart Manuel Pellegrini with their superstar South American strikers.

The Gunners are still without Alexis Sanchez as he has yet to recover from a hamstring injury but Sergio Aguero is back after a heel injury for City.

The mere presence of the Argentine can lift City and his return is a huge lift.

Luke Reddy
BBC Sport

Now this is a sofa which has taken the weight of many a man engrossed in Premier League action.

It's where the Match of the Day pundits perch themselves for week after week of analysis. They'll chat here, eat here and scrutinise here before donning their smart shirts for analysis on TV.

Looks comfy doesn't it? Never mind losing the remote, I may have a rummage around in here and see if I can find Ian Wright or John Hartson.

Raheem Sterling is on the bench for Manchester City tonight but Sergio Aguero starts. Arsenal are unchanged.

I was intrigued by some comments from Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld earlier this week.

The Belgian was asked who his hardest opponent has been in the Premier League.

He went for Sergio Aguero. No surprise there... but what are the specific reasons?

“He [Aguero] is not big, but he has enormous legs – huge,” Alderweireld told the Mirror. “Often he walks around, but then he comes to life. He is very dangerous.”  

Image source, Getty Images

Luke Reddy
BBC Sport

Image source, BBC Sport

Phil Neville and Martin Keown will be the men in the seats on Match of the Day 2 at 22:40 GMT tonight. The studio looks festive and cheerful.

They will definitely be signing off with Leicester City at top for Christmas, the question is, how many points clear? A draw is the best result for the Foxes as they'd be four clear.

Shaun, Harrogate: Make or break for Arsenal this, if they can beat City then they will believe the title is there for the taking. Can't help thinking their record against title rivals will haunt them again tonight though.  

Right... we're all friends, aren't we? I'm just checking before I slip in a Christmas cracker-style joke I saw floating about social media yesterday.

It was about a Manchester United fan popping into the travel agents and asking for recommendations for a winter break.

The reply? "You can't beat the Canaries at this time of year."

Classic. Sorry, Manchester United fans.

Your lot can get their own back by appointing Jose Mourinho on Christmas Day when I'm just about to tuck into my roast dinner.

Unless you stick with LvG of course...