With crucial Champions League ties coming up, could it be the Premier League has hamstrung its own clubs’ progression in Europe by forcing upon them such a rigorous schedule over the festive period?

Man City will pay the Costa if stars fail to step up in the absence of Yaya Toure in Saturday’s crucial top of the table clash with Chelsea, says Pellegrini.

City hosted Championship side Middlesbrough at the Etihad on Saturday and it was Aitor Karanka’s men who grabbed a famous 2-0 victory.

With a crucial Premier League game against league leaders Chelsea just a week away, Manuel Pellegrini might have been tempted to rest some of his stars against Championship side Middlesbrough in the FA Cup fourth round.

Lampard was seen receiving treatment for a muscle injury before City took on Hamburg in an Abu Dhabi friendly but the 36-year-old asked his manager to let him play.

City are currently two points behind Chelsea in the Premier League and play host to the Gunners at The Etihad on Sunday.

After 21 league games Manchester City sit second on 47 points, two points behind leaders Chelsea. 12 months ago Manuel Pellegrini’s mob had the same number of points and were one point and one place behind pacesetters Arsenal.

With Chelsea overcoming a stubborn Newcastle side at Stamford Bridge, the result leaves City two points behind ahead of the top two sides’ meeting in three weeks’ time.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side play Everton at Goodison Park tomorrow and only alphabetical order keeps Chelsea ahead of them on paper.

City are currently on fire with six consecutive wins and celebrated qualification into the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday.

On Monday City opened their new state-of-the-art £200million training ground in the presence of playing legends past and present.