Manchester City picked up a much-needed 2-0 victory over Watford in midweek to get back to winning ways after a tricky fortnight in the Premier League.

Goals from Pablo Zabaleta and David Silva secured the three points for Pep Guardiola’s side, who have lost to both Chelsea and Leicester in the last few weeks.

The win over the Hornets on Wednesday was also their first home league success since September 17, when they beat Bournemouth 4-0 at the Etihad Stadium.

Consequently, they will go into Sunday’s mouth-watering clash against Arsenal with high hopes of recording back-to-back league wins, and leapfrogging the Gunners in the Premier League table.

Arsene Wenger’s side are currently third after their 2-1 loss at Everton in midweek, just a point ahead of City going into their meeting at the Etihad this weekend.

However, City’s win on Wednesday was their first in all competitions since November 26, but Guardiola knows that they must get something against the Gunners on Sunday to stay in touch with their title contenders.

With January fast approaching, many are speculating on who Guardiola could bring into his squad in a bid to bolster his side and, with the African Cup of Nations starting next month, he may be tempted by some of Africa’s brightest talents.

Thus, here are TWO AFCON stars that City must watch out for next month…

Riyad Mahrez

He was part of the Leicester team that tore City apart last weekend, but last season’s PFA Player of the Year Riyad Mahrez hasn’t quite hit the heights so far for the Foxes this term.

Claudio Ranieri’s side are 14th in the table having won just four of their 16 league games, and Mahrez’s form has dipped from the dizzy heights of last season, where he scored 17 goals and laid on 11 assists to help the Foxes win the Premier League title.

Despite signing a new deal in the summer to stay at the King Power Stadium, the Algerian international is not going to be overly happy playing in a side near the bottom of the division, so could be open to a move, either in the summer or in January.

His form hasn’t been great this season, but a confidence-boosting spell in the African Cup of Nations next month could be exactly what he needs to get back to his best.

City were linked with a move for the 25-year-old in the summer, and may be again come January.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Speculation has been rife about the future of Borussia Dortmund forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang this season.

The Gabon international scored 39 goals in just 49 games for the German side last season, and has continued his phenomenal goal-scoring record this time around, netting 19 times in just 18 appearances for Thomas Tuchel’s side.

Unsurprisingly, the supremely prolific forward has been attracting interest from several top European clubs, one of which is Manchester City.

Aubameyang’s Gabon will host next month’s African Cup of Nations, and the 27-year-old will have a big say in how well the host nation does in the tournament.

It’s a competition Guardiola and his staff should take a good look at, especially to keep an eye on the form of Aubameyang.