Arsenal take on Manchester City in what would comfortably be described as the biggest game of the Gunners’ last decade-plus, perhaps since the 2006 Champions League final. The match has, naturally, been billed as a Premier League title decider.
Mikel Arteta faces his old mentor and now adversary once again, Pep Guardiola. The two faced off in the League Cup final, which the Gunners fell to a 2-0 defeat and certainly played havoc with the North London side’s confidence.
Despite being the only English club remaining in the UEFA Champions League, there is so much weight on winning the first league campaign in 22 years, having had such a lead. Six points separate the sides, but with City having a game in hand, a win here and in midweek would likely see Arsenal drop to second with five games to play.
A victory is the dream scenario for Arteta; however, there is a knowledge that a draw keeps the title in the Gunners’ hands and out of City’s. But the Arsenal manager said that his side would not spend one second thinking about the latter.
Tom Canton, our Arsenal reporter, is at the Jose Alvalade Stadium and will bring you all the latest news and updates as it happens...
18:11Tom Canton
Gabriel and Haaland go head-to-head and eventually Gabriel pushes the striker in the forehead with his own head.
18:01Tom Canton
Leandro Trossard and Ben White are coming on.
Cristhian Mosquera and Eberechi Eze are off.
18:00Tom Canton
Arsenal have hit the post again! Gabriel going closest it seems this time. The header deflecting off O'Reilly.
17:56Tom Canton
City going for another here.
17:53KEY EVENT
Of course it is that that. A throw from Donnarumma sets away O'Reilly and Arsenal never recover.
17:53Tom Canton
17:53Tom Canton
Havertz smashes a shot, which Havertz saves. Then the follow-up is blocked.
17:53Tom Canton
The home side are building now, with the Gunners not seeing much of the ball.
17:53Tom Canton
It looked as though Kai Havertz was brought down by last man Khusanov... nothing given.
VAR says no.
17:53Tom Canton
Eze loses it in the middle giving Doku the chance to strike and Raya collects.
17:53Tom Canton
The striker has struck the post as the ball fell to him inside the box.
17:53Tom Canton
Mistake by Martinelli who in trying to keep the ball on sets up a City break. Gabriel gets the block in on Semenyo's cross.
17:53Tom Canton
Overall, I think Arsenal have to be pleased, to have responded so quickly after going behind. Really needed that and now the emphasis is to get a result.
17:53Tom Canton
Gabriel Martinelli is coming on. Replacing Noni Madueke.
17:53Tom Canton
**David Raya – 5**
**Cristhian Mosquera – 5**
**William Saliba – 7**
**Gabriel – 7**
**Piero Hincapie – 7**
**Martin Zubimendi – 7**
**Declan Rice – 7**
**Martin Odegaard – 6**
**Noni Madueke – 6**
**Kai Havertz – 7**
**Eberechi Eze – 6**
17:53Tom Canton
William Saliba clears off the line. But the referee blows for a foul.
17:53Tom Canton
Gabriel this time with a block on Semenyo's cross. Need to hold this till the break Arsenal.
17:53Tom Canton
Piero Hincapie with an almighty block there to stop a shot on goal from Semenyo.
17:53Tom Canton
So many chances they had to get the ball in the box but instead Arsenal pass it round and eventually overhit a switched ball.
17:53Tom Canton
Mosquera sends the ball in and Khusanov has to make a block.
17:53Tom Canton
A tussle for the ball leads to some nasties afterwards but nothing in it really.
17:53Tom Canton
The Spaniard is booked against Doku... not a good sign that.
17:53Tom Canton
Haaland lays in Silva and Rice has to come back to get his foot in. Corner to come.
Guehi's header caught by Raya.
17:53Tom Canton
Big chance that as Doku catches Mosquera sleeping. The cross comes in and Haaland mishits the ball wide.
17:53Tom Canton
Someone needs to have a word in Eze's ear. He's losign Semenyo every time.
17:53Tom Canton
Haaland is through and lays in Semenyo but the pass is overhit and the Ghanaian slips.
17:53KEY EVENT
ARSENAL ARE LEVEL!
Havertz has the goal after a mistake at the back by the home side. Donnarumma tries to clear and Havertz gets his foot in!
Kai Havertz of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal at Etihad Stadium (Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
17:53KEY EVENT
The home side score first! Poor from Eze who backs out of a challenge and then its the magic feet of the Frenchman and the finish.
17:53Tom Canton
Lucky the flag is up as the touch was horrible.
17:53Tom Canton
Things have settled after the early nerves and they're getting on the ball. The presence of Odegaard is a big help.