Manchester City go into this afternoon’s game against Arsenal off the back of an important 2-0 win over Watford in midweek.

Pep Guardiola’s side hadn’t won at the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League since September 17 prior to Wednesday’s game, but goals from Pablo Zabaleta and David Silva secured all three points for the hosts.

They needed the victory given that they shambolically lost 4-2 at Leicester last weekend, and 3-1 at home to Chelsea the weekend before.

Nevertheless, the win consolidates fourth place in the league table, and they are now just a point adrift of Arsene Wenger’s Gunners, who lost for only the second time this season at Everton on Tuesday.

Wenger’s side slipped to third as a result of their defeat on Merseyside, with Liverpool leapfrogging them into second, and they are now six points behind Antonio Conte’s Chelsea at the top.

Clearly, this is a massive game for both sides, as a defeat could significantly dent either side’s title ambitions this season.

With much to lose, both sides will want to get a result this afternoon, but here are THREE reasons why City will clinch all three points against Arsenal…

Important win in midweek

Manchester City desperately needed that victory in midweek.

Guardiola’s side got the better of Watford 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday to pick up their first league win at home since September 17 and, although it wasn’t the most convincing of displays, it was all about getting the three points.

Not only that, but it gives them something to build on going forward, starting with the visit of Arsenal on Sunday.

The likes of David Silva and Raheem Sterling had good games against the Hornets on Wednesday and, although Sunday will be a tougher test, winning breeds confidence, and they’ll need that confidence against a top Arsenal side this weekend.

The win, coupled with the Gunners’ loss at Everton, already gives the hosts a slight edge as they are coming into this one with that little bit more confidence.

Defensive boost

The clean sheet on Wednesday was also a timely boost for a defence that has received its fair share of criticism this season.

City hadn’t kept a clean sheet since their 4-0 thumping of West Brom on October 29, eight games ago, and their last shutout at the Etihad was against Bournemouth back on September 17.

Guardiola reverted to a back four against Watford following the debacle at Leicester last weekend and, although Watford haven’t got the most lethal attack in the league, the City defence looked a lot more comfortable, which is surely a signal to the manager to keep faith with a back four against the Gunners.

City were better organised and appeared to have a greater understanding of one another’s roles and positioning, and they’ll take that confidence into today’s clash.

Need a statement of intent

City have been struggling somewhat ever since they lost 2-0 at Tottenham at the start of October and, although they beat Barcelona in the Champions League, they haven’t recently laid down a statement of intent in the Premier League.

Their 2-1 win at Old Trafford back in September was quite the marker to lay down early on, but since then they have lost to Spurs, United in the League Cup, Chelsea, and Leicester, so they really need to get another win over a title challenger to once again state their intentions this season.

The 3-1 defeat at home to Chelsea was a real blow given how well they played in the first half, but the 4-2 loss at Leicester was just inexcusable from a defensive point of view.

The win in midweek will certainly help them ahead of today’s encounter, but they need that victory over a top side to once again prove their title credentials.