sport news Rodri and Declan Rice have been the driving forces in their side's respective ... trends now

This season's three-pronged Premier League title race is set for it's next chapter on Sunday as Manchester City play host to Arsenal at the Etihad, and a certain midfield battle has the potential to decide which side ends up with the three points.

All eyes are on this weekend's monumental clash with just one point separating the Gunners and City in first and third, with Liverpool sandwiched between the two.

Both sides boast a huge amount of talent, but all eyes are going to be on the inevitable midfield battle between Rodri and Declan Rice.

A debate about who is superior between the Citizens' 'lighthouse' and the Arsenal number 41 has gathered pace over the course of this season and their contest in the middle on Sunday will be key.

We were robbed of seeing a showdown between the two players when Arsenal beat Manchester City 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium in October, as Rodri missed the match through injury.

Rodri is regarded as the benchmark by many for what a number six should be, Rice himself even believes the Spanish international is the best in the world.

Speaking while on England duty earlier in the week, Rice said: 'You look at the best No6s in the world, Rodri [is] arguably the best.'

However, Rice himself has a case for being in the conversation after an excellent first season at Arsenal, and looking at the statistics, it's clear to see why both players are crucial to their sides.

The Gunners' £105m midfielder hasn't missed a league game this season, starting all 28 matches, while Rodri has played and started 25 without losing any.

Pep Guardiola's side have lost all three league matches in which Rodri has missed, with the midfielder unavailable through either injury or suspension, proving how pivotal he is to the side.