Manchester City vs Arsenal team news: Wojciech Szczesny DROPPED for third time in a row by Arsene Wenger

The match kicks off at 4pm

Wojciech Szczesny during Arsenal training (GETTY IMAGES)

Wojciech Szczesny has been overlooked for the third time in a row by Arsene Wenger, this time for today’s game against Manchester City with David Ospina preferred to the Polish goalkeeper.

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The Arsenal goalkeeper was described by his manager as the club’s No 1 in the aftermath of his first omission, against Hull City in the FA Cup, which followed his mistake against Southampton and his subsequent illicit cigarette in the showers. However, that status is very much up for debate with the Polish goalkeeper’s exile now stretching to three games.

The Arsenal manager has brought Aaron Ramsey back into the starting XI in place of Tomas Rosicky who started the previous win over Stoke City. Hector Bellerin, who replaced the injured Mathieu Debuchy in that game, also keeps his place in the side. For City, Sergio Aguero makes his first start in eight games. There are three changes from the 1-1 draw with Everton. Aguero replaces Stevan Jovetic; Vincent Kompany comes back into the team in place of Eliaquim Mangala and James Milner replaces the injured Samir Nasri.

In his programme notes, Manuel Pellegrini suggested that City could end any hopes Arsenal might have of winning the title. “They are always battling for one of the top four places in the Premier League and have some excellent players. They know that if we win today’s game they will be 14 points behind us and that will make things more difficult for us.”