The Gunners are six points behind fourth-placed Liverpool following four defeats in their last five league games, with Arsene Wenger once again refusing to declare his future plans in Thursday's press conference.
Arsenal have two games in hand over Jurgen Klopp's Reds in the race for Champions League football, but cannot afford any more slip-ups as rivals Man City head to north London seeking the same prize.
April could well be a defining month for Wenger at Arsenal, with the manager needing a string of positive results to boost the fans and lift the huge pressure he is currently facing.
TEAM NEWS
Alexis Sanchez faces a fitness test after facing a 7,000 trip following two appearances for Chile during the international break.
Petr Cech is out after picking up a calf injury against West Brom, meaning David Ospina finally has another chance to impress in the league.
Lucas Perez is out with a thigh strain, though Kieran Gibbs should be in contention at left-back. Santi Cazorla remains out for the rest of the season with his long-term Achilles problem.
Mesut Ozil featured for Germany off the bench during the international break, raising hopes that the playmaker will be fit to face Guardiola's side.
Wenger has confirmed that Santi Cazorla, who was initially expected to return early this year, will not play again this season as the 32-year-old Spaniard has failed to recover from an ankle injury sustained in October last year.
Kevin De Bruyne is a doubt for the trip to the Emirates following a groin injury, while January signing Gabriel Jesus is out with a broken metatarsal.
lkay Gundogan will not return again for City this season as he continue his rehabilitation from a serious knee injury.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Arsenal: Ospina; Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal; Xhaka, Ramsey; Walcott, Ozil, Sanchez; Welbeck
Man City: Caballero, Sagna, Stones, Otamendi, Clichy, Fernandinho, Toure, Sterling, Silva, Sane, Aguero
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