I can't decide if the empty seats are because of the weather or because Arsenal fans have voted with their feet. The full away end suggests that there was a way to get to the ground.

Arsene Wenger's coat is not as big as I hoped it would be.

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Rex Features

Handshake between Pep and Wenger. Arsene has a little word in his ear.

"I'm toast. Ask Arteta if he fancies the job."

Under way...

Image source, Rex Features

Martin Keown
Former Arsenal defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

Otamendi's become a man in that City defence. Very often he's been without Vincent Kompany so he's usually had John Stones, and they've looked very strong in that triangle, which Fernandinho has created with them.

De Bruyne has also been a big player and he and David Silva will go down in history as two of the best we’ve seen. Guardiola likes having them there, they’re a conduit for the team and for what they’re trying to develop.

Almost ready to go. If you're just joining us, here's a reminder of the teams...

The air hostesses that always flank the tunnel at the Emirates haven't been afforded coats. They look cold. There's probably an HR complaint in that. The ground is pretty empty.

Players are in the tunnel. They are all in tracksuit tops. The game has gone.

Manchester City

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola to Sky Sports: "It's always a mystery after winning a trophy, whether the players are still focused on not. But there are still a lot of games to play and they're tough fixtures.

"Some teams are playing Premier League, then Champions League, and some are playing Premier League, then Europa League, so every game will be a battle. We still have to win games, not to wait to see what’s going to happen."

Pep has been speaking. I didn't notice if he was wearing a yellow ribbon or not...

Peter: I once played in a match in December up north. It started at -2 and then the snow came. By half-time the temperature was down at -5 and the score was 4-0 to us. The ref called it after an hour because we were 6 up and he was frozen. We lost the league on GD

Martin Keown
Former Arsenal defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

Wenger is a man of routine. Training doesn’t change for the big games or the small games. But maybe it should because it's been a disaster. It's not working on the pitch, they're 27 points behind City. I don’t know what’s happened, it's a long category of stories.

They used to be able to win a showpiece match every year and they’d find the performances to get into the top four. They haven't done that this season, so he needs to get a result tonight, more than ever.

On the subject of playing junior football in the cold, is there anything more painful that taking the leather of the ball on to a bare thigh when it's baltic? No wonder there's a childhood obesity problem...

Paul: 25 years ago, debut in goal for school football team. Snowstorm and temperature well south of zero. Didn't touch the ball, spent the second half sitting against the post with my knees on my chin. And that was probably the high point of my football career.

Martin Keown
Former Arsenal defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

Arsene has to look no further than tonight. It's a platform for him, if he can win the game. It's unlikely but if he pulls it out then it’s the first step towards some sort of recovery.

He wants the players to dig deep and respond. Nobody wants to see his demise like a boxer in the ring, with someone having to throw the towel in. Maybe he'll surprise us tonight and I’m one who hopes he does that.

Stephen: 1970s - Travelling to Carlisle to for a night match in similar weather to this. Found a car park and asked the guy 'is the match still on?' he replied 'what match?' Tried to get an autograph from Derek Fazackerley but my pen had frozen!

With all these tales of when you battled the weather, it will be a shame for the actual football to start. I'd happily just print these all night.

Anyway...

Pep Guardiola is watching his team warm up, sitting on a red leather chair in the away dugout wearing a black woolly hat. Added to his stubble, he looks menacing.

I need to know more about that hitchhike from Stoke to London. Did you stick your thumb out on the A500?

Joe: Spent last few student loan pennies following Fulham away at Stoke in 2010 - snowed all game long, we were 3-0 down at half time, and I had to hitchhike home as my coach back was cancelled

It's a birthday treat to watch Birmingham?