Arsenal's hopes rest with Alexis Sanchez at Manchester City
In-form Chilean, described by Pellegrini as 'the best player in England', key to Gunners ending a barren spell at Etihad Stadium
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.
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 by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan in 2008.
There are some other great players, but [Alexis] Sanchez and [Sergio] Aguero are two of the best performing since the start of the season
Arsenal's fans have learnt to associate the sheikh with the sight of departing stars, as Samir Nasri, Emmanuel Adebayor, Kolo Toure, Gael Clichy and Bacary Sagna have all left the Emirates Stadium for City in recent years.
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 Arsenal manager Arsene 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."
