Another poor touch from Martin Demichelis allows Arsenal to get on the ball and move up as a unit. Alexis Sanchez gets his head up on the left but is nailed quickly by Pablo Zabaleta. Fine defending.

Image source, Getty Images

Interestingly, if you are interested in these things, James Milner is playing behind Sergio Aguero, as 'the 10', with David Silva over on the right so far for City, along with Jesus Navas.

Has Nacho Monreal been targeted as a weak link?

Sergio Aguero and Alexis Sanzhez have both been quiet so far but a poor touch from City defender Martin Demichelis threatens to let Arsenal in on the break.They switch it quickly out to Sanchez on the left, he cuts inside but his shot is charged down.

Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure,, external who is away with Ivory Coast at the African Cup of Nations: "Come on City!"

We asked you before the match what you thought the outcome would be - and a significant majority of you (58.6%) expect to see a Manchester City win this afternoon...

Excellent kit-based knowledge Andrew. Now you mention it it does ring a bell. I would be in long sleeves today, no doubt. And gloves, Tights. A snood. Three pairs of socks.

Arsenal pressing very high up the pitch, Vincent Kompany has Alexis Sanchez for, er, company.

Andrew, Carshalton: The Arsenal team always wear the type of shirt as chosen by the captain on the day. It is a tradition.

Hull manager Steve Bruce: "You've got to take your chances. We haven't taken them often enough. We've got ourselves in wonderful positions and we should have been up after three or four minutes.

"We've gifted West Ham their opportunities and they've taken them. It's become a recurring theme.

"We've got seven or eight big players missing and in the second half it did show. We made awful mistakes. But we can't keep bleating on about it, we've got to roll up our sleeves.

"James Chester has dislocated his shoulder. He'll need an operation. Alex Bruce has pulled a thigh, he'll be touch and go for two weeks' time. It's all hands to the pump at the moment.

"We're trying to improve the squad and if there's somebody out there within the budget, we will try our best. Let's hope that can give everybody a lift if we do get one through the door."

Steve, have a read of this page mate. Some strikers out there for £10m. Try the MLS...

Aaron Ramsey is playing just behind Olivier Giroud in these very early stages, as City then break away. Laurent Koscielny flattening Fernandinho with a clumsy challenge. That is a very early booking!

Former Scotland international Pat Nevin
BBC Radio 5 live at Etihad Stadium

"It's freezing cold conditions, but as a player you shouldn't feel it, you should just go out there and enjoy the conditions. Having said that, whether a player is wearing long sleeves or short is often a give away as to who is really up for it. Seven of the City players have got short sleeves on… and none of the Arsenal players."

Shorts from Arsenal physio Vic Akers on the bench! It's freezing in Manchester, trust me.

Anyway, we are under way.

Rob: Arsenal's only chance of winning today will be to catch City on the counter. Olivier Giroud won't support that. Pace of Theo Walcott needed instead.

Not a spare seat in the house. The world is watching this one lads, let's not serve up any dross eh?

Mickey Wallis: Francis Coquelin needs to have the game of his life today if Arsenal are to have any chance.

Ben Turner: In previous games Arsenal have gone into this fixture with some hope of a result. Being no-hopers could play into our hands...

Joe Murphy: A heavy defeat today and Arsenals defensive transfer targets have an extra £10m added on, which means Arsene Wenger won't buy.

Get in touch at #bbcfootball, external, pop on to the BBC Sport Facebook page, external or BBC Sport's Google+ area., external You can also text us on 81111 in the UK only - don't forget to say who you are and where you are texting from.

Teams in the tunnel. Vincent Kompany on his toes, bouncing up and down, facing back towards his team-mates, shouting encouragement. Pumped? You bet.

When you see the size of Kompany and his goalkeeper Joe Hart next to club officials - 'normal' people - it really is quite intimidating.

Arsenal right-back Hector Bellerin looks daunted, that's for sure...

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini speaking to Sky Sports before kick-off: "There are players that make a difference and Sergio Aguero is one of those players.

"We will see if he can play the full 90 minutes. He has been working the past week normally and it's the same for Vincent Kompany.

"Alexis Sanchez is in a good moment for Arsenal, he's playing very well. But Arsenal is not just one player. Normally these two teams are attacking teams. Everyone expects both sides will score a lot of goals, but if we have to 1-0 it's fine. It's just important to win."

Man City: Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Demichelis, Clichy, Fernandinho, Fernando, Jesus Navas, Silva, Milner, Aguero. Subs: Sagna, Dzeko, Kolarov, Caballero, Lampard, Mangala, Jovetic.

Arsenal: Ospina, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Ramsey, Coquelin, Cazorla, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Giroud, Sanchez. Subs: Szczesny, Gibbs, Rosicky, Ozil, Walcott, Flamini, Chambers.

Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral)

Just 10 minutes until kick-off at the Etihad then, the usual dreary weather should be cast aside by a glittering game of football. So often these 'big' games fail to deliver but just look at the cast of players on display today.

It has to be good, doesn't it?

Former England winger Trevor Sinclair
MOTD2 Extra

"For some reason whenever Arsenal come to the Etihad the atmosphere more often than not is amazing. It will be a big test for David Ospina to see if he can cope with that. If he comes through today he will do well at Arsenal you feel.

"Manchester City have never retained the title. The work Manuel Pellegrini has put in towards achieving it though is amazing, mud on his boots at the training ground, he has been meticulous with the team and you would be disappointed if they don't win the league this year. But from the outside I would say if they come second, then you maybe have to look at Chelsea and the work Jose Mourinho has done and say fair enough. The best team will win the title."

South American football expert Tim Vickery
BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, Getty Images

On Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero: "The comparison I have been making is with the former Brazil international striker Romario. Aguero has got the same strength in the thighs that allows him to very quickly accelerate over a couple of metres and give him the space to get off a shot away in a crowded penalty box. I think he his as good as Romario, and much easier to deal with as a personality than the Brazilian was.

"When I say this in Brazil I get a bad reaction, but I think it's fair, and if Aguero can stay fit, I think he can emulate what Romario achieved. Alexis Sanchez is perhaps a more versatile player, but football is defined by goals and I think Aguero will get you more of them at the highest level."