Pep Guardiola takes his in-form Manchester City side to Arsenal on Sunday (4pm kick-off) hoping to consolidate their position in the Premier League’s top four.

The Citizens have lost just one of their last nine league games, winning five, and picked up a credible 1-1 draw at home to Liverpool in their last league outing.

It means that Guardiola’s men went into the Premier League weekend in third place in the division, five points clear of neighbours Manchester United in fifth, and seven points clear of Sunday’s opponents.

Arsene Wenger’s men have had a torrid run in recent weeks, losing four of their last five league matches, including their previous league outing away at West Brom.

It has seen the Gunners slip out of the top four and down to sixth, six points behind Liverpool prior to their meeting with Everton in the Merseyside derby, so Sunday’s encounter against City is absolutely imperative for Wenger and his side if they are to secure a top four finish for the 21st successive season.

Nonetheless, Guardiola’s men will feel confident of getting all three points at the Emirates on Sunday, although the Spaniard may have to make a few changes to his side following the international break.

Thus, here are THREE Man City stars who deserve a chance against Arsenal on Sunday…

Bacary Sagna

Fernandinho played at right-back in City’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool prior to the international break, and although he did well there, it’s not his natural position, and is certainly something Alexis Sanchez will look to exploit on Sunday.

Thus, Guardiola may call upon former Gunners defender Bacary Sagna to slot in at full-back.

The 34-year-old has struggled with injury in recent weeks but looks set to be available for selection at the Emirates, and that may be good news for Guardiola given that Sanchez is once again likely to start wide on the left.

Sagna is also playing for his future at the club, his contract runs out at the end of the season, so a stellar display against his former employers could do him the world of good, and indeed set City on their way to all three points.

Aleksandar Kolarov

Guardiola has a decision to make at the back, whether to go for a flat back four or potentially a back three.

Nonetheless, you’d expect Aleksandar Kolarov to come back into the side, either at centre-half or at left-back.

The Serbian international has appeared 36 times for City this term, only Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling, and John Stones have played more, so Guardiola clearly trusts his ability, be it in a three or a four.

He’s unlikely to play at left-back given Theo Walcott’s pace, but could relish the prospect of coming up against Olivier Giroud down the middle, and thus may return to the line-up on Sunday.

Jesus Navas

It would be a surprise if he starts, but Guardiola may look at Jesus Navas as an option from the bench against the Gunners.

With the likes of Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling performing well down the flanks, that duo will get the nod, but using Navas off the bench later on if both are struggling to make an impact or if the Arsenal defence are tiring could work for Guardiola.

The 31-year-old has appeared in just 15 Premier League games this season, including just twice in 2017, but could add to his appearance tally on Sunday.