Alex Howell
BBC Sport Arsenal reporter at Emirates Stadium

There's lots of talk about how the Gunners will start today's match with no recognised right back in the side but Mikel Arteta is not giving anything away in the warm-up.

Substitute defenders Myles Lewis-Skelly and Gabriel Magalhaes were warming up with the starters before Riccardo Calafiori went down the tunnel early.

The Arsenal graphics in the media area have now updated to show that Lewis-Skelly is starting.

Manchester City

Man City midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, speaking to TNT Sports: "We know a lot of clubs suffer here. From what I heard Nottingham Forest at home is always difficult, and yes [it's true] I felt it as well. It's a very important win and we are on the hunt.

"They made the spaces really tight so it was very difficult to find the free man in between the lines. In the second half we made some changes to the formation and we could find the free man more often."

On his goal: "I had to play higher on the pitch [in the second half], so they had more difficulties choosing who to get. The goal was a perfect example of this. Of course Cherki knows how to find those passes and I could finish that one. He is very good, he finds spaces and when he gets the ball you have to be ready and in position."

On playing for Pep Guardiola: "Yes he is very intense but he makes us all better players. For me now I'm here four or five months, you look differently at the game. I want to learn more and more and more."

Alex Howell
BBC Sport Arsenal reporter at Emirates Stadium

It's a huge boost for Arsenal to welcome back Gabriel Magalhaes into the squad.

Despite having many options at the back, injuries are testing the Gunners and there is not recognised right back in the squad.

Gabriel has been out since he got injured playing for Brazil at the Emirates and his return is much needed with Cristhian Mosquera, Ben White and Jurrien Timber all out.

John Bennett
BBC Final Score reporter at the Gtech Community Stadium

Image source, Getty Images

Antoine Semenyo is the talk of the press room and the away end here; will he stay or go in January? Is this his final game for Bournemouth? How damaging would his departure be for the team, considering his impressive 20 Premier League goal involvements in 2025?

The photographers pitch-side all had their cameras trained on Semenyo as he emerged from the tunnel, wearing a red bib, for the warm-ups, so no doubt who the star attraction is today.

Meanwhile on the big screens inside the stadium they’ve been replaying a classic play-off semi-final between these two sides from 2021, when Brentford came from 2 nil down on aggregate to beat Bournemouth and make it to Wembley. Let’s hope for similar drama this afternoon.

Has Jack been on the sherry?

Manchester City

Manchester City midfielder Rayan Cherki, speaking to TNT Sports: "When the games come we need just one thing: to win. We take the points because the championship is so long and so hard, so today is a big win.

"The next game is very important for us and we are ready."

On his goal: "It's good for the team because the game was not simple. I am very proud of the team because the championship is so long and the win is for them so we need to enjoy.

"In the week I spoke to Erling and he said: "When you score you do this celebration" so I did and I am so happy."

Alan Shearer
MOTD pundit

That is such a big win under pressure by Manchester City. They weren’t at their best so it really is a huge three points.

Rayan Cherki really stepped up in the second half and deserved his goal. And it is another win without Erling Haaland scoring as well.

All the pressure goes back on Arsenal now.

This is how the Premier League table looks after Manchester City's win at Nottingham Forest.

Arsenal need to respond.

Image source, Getty Images

A few weeks ago Fulham boss Marco Silva was under increasing scrutiny, but a good run of form has propelled his side away from the relegation zone.

Five wins in their last eight games has seen the Cottagers move up to 13th in the table, 10 points clear of the drop.

Only Manchester City, Arsenal and Aston Villa have won more than Fulham's 15 points since the start of November, while the Cottagers have triumphed in their past two away Premier League matches, as many as in their previous 12 fixtures on the road combined.

A third win on the bounce today would put Fulham in a strong position to begin 2026.

Image source, Getty Images

Antoine Semenyo starts for Bournemouth today.

The winger has been linked with what feels like every Premier League "big six" team over the past two weeks.

But manager Andoni Iraola was quick to remind journalists in his pre-match conference that "Semenyo right now is with us,".

He added: "I know there is lots of noise around him, it's not my concern. My concern is that it doesn't affect his performances. It isn't doing, he is very committed to the team and I hope we can keep him here."

Semenyo has scored in each of his past two matches. He's one yellow card away from a one-match ban.

Everton

David Moyes on why Jack Grealish is missing from the Everton squad at Turf Moor: "He's just got a bit of a virus and not been well over Christmas time, so he's not available today."

Aadam Patel
Football Reporter at Anfield

This is the first game between these two sides since the death of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva in the summer. Jota played for Wolves before signing for Liverpool in 2020.

His sons, Dinis and Duarte, will be part of the mascots when the teams walk out today. It’s a lovely touch on a day where both sets of supporters will remember Jota.

In his programme notes, Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk writes: “Our thoughts, as ever, remain with Diogo and Andre’s family. They will never, ever be forgotten, and we will carry their memory always.”

Image source, Getty Images

After Manchester City's late winner against Nottingham Forest, Arsenal will be desperate to reassert themselves at the summit - a position they have held since early October.

The Gunners sat top of the Premier League at Christmas for the fifth time, also doing so in 2002-03, 2007-08, 2022-23 and 2023-24.

But they have never won the competition from that position - including twice under Mikel Arteta, when they were chased down by City on both occasions.

No manager has ever been top at Christmas three times and failed to win the competition. Needless to say, Arteta will not want to be the first to suffer that fate.

Pep Guardiola is delighted. He knows how big those points are.

He's walking around the pitch giving his players big hugs and even gave Phil Foden a cheeky kiss on the cheek.

It's a huge three points for Man City as they climb to the top of the Premier League.

Over to you, Arsenal...

Image source, Getty Images