James Collins
Former West Ham defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

If you look back at West Ham over the last few seasons, their work rate was second to none. They seem to have brought that intensity back over recent games.

Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio have looked better since coming back in recently and Lucas Paqueta seems to have finally settled.

Mike Minay
BBC Radio Manchester

Image source, BBC Sport

There are some proclaiming this as a Leicester City-esque fairytale from Arsenal.

It ain't.

The recovery from 18 months ago for the Gunners is impressive - don't get me wrong. Bottom after three games with no points and no goals in the 2021-22 season, it is quite something they are now top and have been for most of the season.

But to suggest they have risen from nowhere is perhaps not a narrative we should be tracking. This isn't a David v Goliath. They have invested and spent big.

This season, Arsenal have the fifth-highest net spend in the Premier League (£143.9m). The team they are taking to the wire - Manchester City - have the second lowest at £52.6m.

Over the past 10 years there's only £100m difference between the two clubs in net spending - Manchester City with £767.3m, Arsenal's comes in at £666.1m.

So maybe it's not about financial spending clout, because both have it. It's about using that money wisely. Finding the right combination of players and managers.

City have had that for seven seasons under Pep Guardiola, with the framework in place before he arrived. Arsenal look like they have finally got that system sorted and will want to build on it.

And that shows in my last point - net spend per trophy. Arsenal's is £469.8m, Manchester City a much smaller £23.1m.

Whatever way you want to find and look for stats, this is a big game.

Both will see it as a must win and I can't wait to watch it unfold and will be commentating live on BBC Radio Manchester from 19:00 BST on Wednesday.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport at the City Ground

There was a lot going on around that penalty, with the Nottingham Forest bench complaining about Brighton's players trying to delay the spot-kick.

Roberto De Zerbi wasn't too impressed by that. Lewis Dunk wasn't impressed full stop judging by his complaints to referee Jarred Gillett.

Then Jason Steele did something Robert Sanchez couldn't manage at Wembley on Sunday, he saved a penalty.

Now Moussa Niakhate has gone off injured. It has not been a great few minutes for the home side.

Forest aren't letting that missed opportunity affect their mood.

Moments later, Danilo volleys a spectacular effort from distance. The ball dips just wide of the right-hand post with Brighton keeper Jason Steele scrambling.

Think he had it covered.

But there is another blow for Forest - Moussa Niakhate is injured and is replaced by Joe Worrall.

Forest have almost got as many players injured at the moment as they have on the pitch...

What's better than one game kicking off?

Two games kicking off.

Chelsea v Brentford and West Ham v Liverpool are under way.

Looking ahead to the match at the Etihad on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast, England midfielder Izzy Christiansen said: "I have a feeling that Arsenal coming into this game off the back of three draws takes the pressure off them in a weird way.

"After seeing the character shown by some of those Arsenal players against Southampton, the leadership shown in moments during that game impressed me. That looked to me like players who wanted to win the title; the [Oleksandr] Zinchenko huddle, the leadership from [Martin] Odegaard by just using the ball. He came to life in the last 20 minutes - the way he dictated the play, he brought his team back into that. Those are the moments in which I think teams gain confidence."

Ex-Reading midfielder Jobi McAnuff agreed, adding: "The pressure isn't really on Arsenal. Everyone is expecting Manchester City to win, so maybe the younger players and the less experienced ones can handle that situation a little bit better.

"They know they have to go and win - a draw isn't really good enough I don't think - so maybe for their mindset going into the game, that could actually help Arsenal. I just feel Manchester City are going to have way too much."

Arsenal's lead at the top of the table has been eroded in recent weeks, having dropped points against Liverpool, West Ham and Southampton.

Former Premier League player Charlie Adam said: "No doubt, the last three games will have hurt them, but they will need everybody playing well - because if they don't, Manchester City can blow you away.

"You saw on Sunday, within 20 minutes the game was away from Tottenham [at Newcastle] and that can happen at the Etihad. It doesn't matter if it's Liverpool or Arsenal - Manchester City can do that to anybody."

Listen to more analysis on the Football Daily podcast here

Robert Huth
Former Leicester defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

I don't think City will be too worried about Arsenal tonight. City have got their groove on at the moment and they look really confident.

Arsenal have been a bit below-par in their last few games and City will look at this as a very winnable game.

Pep Guardiola won't let you get away with a bad game, he wants 100% every time.

City just have a way each season to come strong when it matters. They are relentless.

Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague joins The Football News Show to discuss the men leading the top two in the Premier League.

He points to an obsession that runs through the two, who will guide their teams into a crunch game in the title race on Wednesday...

SAVE!

After a long wait, Brennan Johnson goes to the left of the goal and Brighton keeper Jason Steele guesses correctly.

A nice height too.

Forest are stunned. How costly could that be for the hosts?!

What a start this has been! And it could get even better for Forest...

No idea what Pervis Estupinan is doing. He tries to turn in his box, miscontrols and hacks down Neco Williams.

Stonewall penalty.

Brennan Johnson has the ball in his hand and waits patiently...

Image source, PA Media

The tempo of the game is matching the ferocity of the atmosphere.

Forest defender Neco Williams has to clear a dangerous cross from Solly March, then there is a lot of playground-style pushing and shoving from the two sets of players after Brighton's Facundo Buonanotte goes down rather easily in the box.

That further fires up Forest, who pile on the pressure in response.

Brighton hold firm to clear their lines twice.

Image source, BBC Sport

Chris Sutton's prediction: 3-1

I am very confident with my prediction for this game - the only thing I wasn't sure about was whether Arsenal would score.

The Gunners are playing this match at one of the worst possible moments because Manchester City have found their rhythm and are hitting some incredible form.

I really hope Arsenal are brave and take the game to City because the Gunners' attack is their strength, but in many ways that will play into the home side's hands.

Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus - on his return to Etihad Stadium - will all carry a threat, but we have seen how vulnerable they are at the back in the past few weeks, and how on earth do you stop Erling Haaland and co?

If, say, Nathan Ake is out injured then that will hamper City a bit, but I still see Pep Guardiola's side really dominating the game, and they are absolutely relentless when they come forward.

Kyra's prediction: So the title is on the line in this game? I have to go with Arsenal here because they are the team I know the best. 2-3

Lee's prediction: Being a Liverpool fan, I know what it is like going toe to toe with City. I think Arsenal have had an amazing season, but I think their energy has started to drop, while City have really started to hit top form. 3-1

Find out what Sutton, Cronin and Gardner predicted for the rest of the games and cast your vote

Former Premier League defender Kolo Toure says no one expected Arsenal to be where they are so all the "pressure" is on Manchester City in tonight's Premier League clash.

The Gunners are five points ahead of City in the race for the league after three draws in three games. However if Pep Guardiola’s side win their two games in hand, they would top the table.

"You could see the disappointment the Arsenal players had after the Southampton game, which isn’t a great sign," Toure told BBC Radio 5 Live

"For Arsenal right now, they have to look at the season and think, 'No one expected us to be where we are and we are fighting against an unbelievable Manchester City team and we are up there with them'.

"They have to see it as an opportunity now that they can do unbelievable things. They have to grab that and go for it.

"If not, it is okay. They can go back next season so just try to enjoy the moment. I know it is difficult to say but that is what they have to do.

"City should be the team that have the pressure."

Listen to the full interview at 1'20'00

Former Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell joined The Football News Show to look ahead to Wednesday's match between the top two in the Premier League.

He discussed the similarities between Manchester City and Arsenal and insists that Mikel Arteta's side have nothing to fear...

Simon Stone
BBC Sport at the City Ground

This time next week we will be in May. The sun has not quite disappeared.

Three Brighton players are wearing gloves.

Arsenal

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, speaking to BT Sport: "It is different as it is the top two in the Premier League that have been fighting for many months. It is a really important game. It is not decisive, especially in this league, with the amount of points still to play for. We want to win it but we have to earn it.

"Granit Xhaka has been really important throughout the season. Since I have been here he has played every single game. We need that experience, competitiveness and edge. We are happy to have him back.

"We ended Friday's game with a draw but the feeling that we should have won it. The reality is we gave away two really sloppy goals and in this league it becomes really difficult to win. But the team showed incredible spirit, confidence and hunger not to give up. We will need a lot of that tonight."

Asked if he sees that in his team's eyes: "100%"

If you really want to dig deep into the context around tonight's big title game, then we advise that you read this piece on the website.

One nugget from it is this:

This will be the ninth time in Premier League history that the top two have met after 33 or more games (for the league leaders) with five points or fewer between them.

Only once did a team lose that game and win the title - when Chelsea beat Manchester United 2-1 in 2008, but Sir Alex Ferguson's side finished first by two points.

The last time there was a title showdown like this, back in 2014, neither team won the league. Chelsea beat leaders Liverpool 2-0 at Anfield, but City - who had games in hand - were crowned champions on the final day.

Cracking atmosphere at the City Ground. Sounds like a 90s nightclub before the trance is replaced by the terrace chants. Incredible noise.

Forest need all the backing they can get as they look to end the sorry run that they've been on.

Here we go...

Image source, Reuters