The two European giants know City are struggling but will still have a sense of dread at maybe having to face Pep Guardiola’s men

We also know Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola are very close, while City are the reigning champs and have just pipped Arsenal to the title in each of the last two Premier League seasons. This rivalry has been bubbling up nicely.

Manchester City scored three second half goals to come back from the brink of elimination and advance to the UEFA Champions League’s inaugural knockout round playoffs following a thrilling 3-1 victory over Club Brugge on Wednesday night.

The Belgian winger has endured a mixed campaign so far for Manchester City, struggling for consistent opportunities to impress on the left of Pep Guardiola’s front-three amid battles with fitness and injury.

Pep Guardiola did not hold back his honest assessment of Manchester City's Champions League hopes this season.

Manchester City avoided a catastrophic early exit from the Champions League and defeated Club Brugge to advance to the playoff round of the competition.

Manuel Akanji is confident Manchester City "can beat every team in Europe" after progressing to the Champions League play-off spots. City will find out on Friday whether their next opponent will be either Bayern Munich or Real Madrid.

The Mancunians avoided an embarrassing early exit from the Champions League with a comeback win against Club Brugge to make the playoffs to get into the Champions League knockout round, but it’s their league form that should worry Arsenal fans. The Sky Blues brushed Chelsea aside 3-1 last weekend and have scored 15 goals in their past four matches.

The UEFA Champions League's first-ever league phase is over, and the knockout stage outlook is now much clearer. Manchester City avoided disaster, Liverpool topped the league-phase table, and we will get Manchester City against either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the playoffs.

With both Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake still sidelined with injury, and John Stones lacking in the necessary match fitness to last 90 minutes of football at present, the decision was taken to entrust Khusanov with a high-profile clash against Enzo Maresca’s side.

Manchester City avoided Champions League humiliation. Now back to the job of salvaging the Premier League season.