Manchester City v Arsenal match preview

After what seems like an eternity, Manchester City returns to action this Saturday as they venture to London to fact Arsenal at Emirates Stadium. For Mark Hughes' side the challenge is balancing their present run in the UEFA Cup with nipping the final Europa League spot in the remaining eight matches and of-course reversing an otherwise foul record on the road.

The February swoon of Arsène Wenger's side that saw them play to three consecutive scoreless matches is long over as the Gunners are now clicking in unison like a well oiled machine. Three consecutive victories, in which they have plundered the opposition with ten goals, has Arsenal well on the path to maintaining their Champions League spot. Andrei Arshavin has settled down in his new surroundings and with the likes of Robin Van Persie and Marseille native Samir Nasri being joined by Cesc Fabregas, Emmanuel Adebayor and mercurial England winger Theo Walcott this weekend, Arsenal is potentially one of the most attack laden sides in the Premier League.

For the meeting, Mark Hughes will have the brilliant young striker Daniel Sturridge available as well as Benjani Mwaruwari but unfortunately Wales skipper Craig Hughes is definitely out with continued knee problems. Without a victory away from Eastlands since August, Mark Hughes knows the task at hand is an uphill grind:

"It will not be a case of us trying to stop them playing, because I have a lot of talent at my disposal. It is about having a game plan that will prevent Arsenal dictating the tempo of the play for 90 minutes.

"It isn't a matter of getting in the faces of the Arsenal players and being physical, it is about having an effect on their game that enhances your own game. And we have more tools at our disposal than when we beat them at home earlier in the season."