18 January,2015 02:44 AM IST | | AFP
Arsenal will look to in-form Alexis Sanchez when they attempt to repair a sequence of diminishing returns at Manchester City's Etihad Stadium in the Premier League on Sunday
Man City' sSergio Aguero vs Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez
London: Arsenal will look to in-form Alexis Sanchez when they attempt to repair a sequence of diminishing returns at Manchester City's Etihad Stadium in the Premier League on Sunday.
Man City' sSergio Aguero vs Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez
Sanchez scored two goals and made another in Arsenal's 3-0 home win over Stoke City last weekend, taking him to 12 goals and eight assists for the campaign and moving City manager Manuel Pellegrini to describe him as "the best player in England."
The Chilean's unerring finishing and exemplary work ethic will be central to Arsenal's hopes of success at the Etihad, where fortune has deserted them since City were taken over in 2008 by Sheikh Mansour.
Only Sergio Aguero, with 19, has scored more goals this season than the 18 Sanchez has mustered in all competitions and with the City striker in line to make his first start since December 3 after a knee injury, the stage is set for a showdown between the two 26-year-old South Americans.
"There are some other great players, but Sanchez and Aguero are two of the best performing since the start of the season," said Wenger.
"Aguero has been less consistent because he's been injured more - in the last year he has suffered from being a bit in and out - but of course he is a world-class player."
If there is one area where Aguero has the edge over Sanchez, it is his record against the big clubs. Since joining City from Atletico Madrid in July 2011, the Argentina striker has scored six times against Man United, thrice each against Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal.
In the years since the Emirati billionaire Mansour's acquisition of City, Arsenal have won one, drawn one and lost five of the seven matches they have played at the Etihad in all competitions.
Before that, they had won six of their seven previous trips to City. Their most recent visit, in December 2013 saw them torn apart 3-6. Ahead of Sunday's game they are 11 points behind City, and 13 shy of leaders Chelsea.
