The weather in north London: rain.

The weather in Manchester: beautiful sunshine.

Banish those stereotypes!

Can you tell we've got no goals to talk about?

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at Etihad Stadium

The whole of the Etihad Stadium - apart from the corner holding West Brom fans - is singing about Pablo Zabaleta. Four different chants so far - no sign of them stopping either.

Image source, Rex Features

One-way traffic. Arsenal are doing all the attacking at the moment, taking their shots-on-goal tally up to seven.

Sunderland? Not managed a single shot yet.

Image source, Opta

Hector Bellerin gets a booking for a deliberate handball on the halfway line. 

That's one way of defending, I suppose. 

Image source, Getty Images

Sergio Aguero surges forward on the left but his ball goes too far over the box and misses team-mate Gabriel Jesus. 

This is the first time the pair have started together for Man City at the Etihad.

Ricky Kelehar: Of course there are empty seats at Emirates - 7:45 is way too early for KO 

Aaron: Mid-week game, re-arranged fixture, hardly an important fixture.  

Rob: The true size of the core support of any club is based on the fanbase that turns up when they don't do so well. 

Sir Trevor Brooking
Former West Ham and England midfielder at Emirates Stadium

We're 15 minutes into the game and Arsenal have had one goal disallowed and two other good chances.

You just feel the chances will keep coming and one will be tucked away.

Granit Xhaka forces Jordan Pickford into another save, but it was a pretty simple one. 

Sunderland boss David Moyes is lunging all over the place in the technical area. He's very, very animated.

Image source, Getty Images

Mark Lawrenson
Former Liverpool defender on Football Focus

I would expect City to win here. I think Arsenal will beat Sunderland and although Liverpool have had many bumps, I think Middlesbrough at three o'clock on Sunday is perfect for them. 

Off we go at the Etihad Stadium!

Sunderland keeper Jordan Pickford is quick to react again, this time to slide the ball away from the feet of Aaron Ramsey after a great run from Alexis Sanchez.

It's all Arsenal at the moment. 

Image source, Getty Images

Mark Lawrenson
Former Liverpool defender on Football Focus

I would give Pep a school report of six out of ten, must do better.

It took him a long time to come to terms with the Premier League. With City you'd argue there are more questions than answers. 

This is the worse team he has managed, in the most difficult league. 

Hector Bellerin makes a crab-like move across the edge of the box and let's fly with his left foot but it's over the bar. This is a lively one tonight at the Emirates.

A great moment for Manchester City's women as they parade the silverware from their FA Cup win over Birmingham City.

Captain Steph Houghton is in the middle of the pitch, proud as punch and about to conduct an interview - but gets soaked by a sprinkler.

She jumps two feet in the air. But sees the funny side. And so did we.

Fabio Borini makes a brilliant run into the box. He tries to cut back for his Sunderland team-mate Jermain Defoe but Gunners keeper Petr Cech ushers away the danger

And then Arsenal break, and Jordan Pickford has to make a save from Olivier Giroud! 

Two big saves at either end. 

Image source, PA

Sir Trevor Brooking
Former West Ham and England midfielder at Emirates Stadium

Sanchez was a long way out and he wasn't closed down. The fact it hit Olivier Giroud suggests Jordan Pickford didn't see it until late. 

Initially I thought it was a poor goal for Sunderland to concede but the flag went up quickly and it is a bit of relief for Sunderland.

Alexis Sanchez has the ball in the back of the net for Arsenal with a lovely strike from distance, but Olivier Giroud's been penalised for getting his hand in the way as he hovered in the box.

Image source, Reuters

Sir Trevor Brooking
Former West Ham and England midfielder at Emirates Stadium

Alexis Sanchez has already had a couple of little runs and doesn't look to be carrying that injury at all.

Sunderland are putting plenty of men behind the ball and it is a case of can Arsenal break them down and open up the game.

Alexis Sanchez, who declared himself fit for tonight, fires over the bar from distance for the hosts. 

Sunderland then earn a free-kick midway in the Arsenal half on the right. Lee Cattermole whips it in with pace but it's cleared. 

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at Etihad Stadium

Image source, BBC Sport

Commitment and consistency seem to be the two biggest reasons why Pablo Zabaleta is such a hero to so many Manchester City fans, and why they are going to give him a big farewell tonight - ideally during the game if he gets off the bench.

“It is the heart and passion that Pablo has which is why we all love him,” says City supporter Dan Lees. 

“He is such a hard-working player and has done the business week in, week out for nine years. 

“Pablo has put one heck of a shift in and I can understand why he wants to leave, to play more football - the main thing he is happy. He will always be a City player in my eyes and good luck to him wherever he goes next."