Team News
Arsenal have been rocked by the news that Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Debuchy are to be sidelined for three months, with the latter picking up a dislocated shoulder during last weekend’s victory against Stoke City.
Also on the sidelines are Jack Wilshere, Serge Gnabry and Abou Diaby. Meanwhile, Kieran Gibbs and Danny Welbeck are rated as doubtful.
The Gunners are boosted by the returns of Mesut Ozil, who came off the bench last week, and last year’s player of the season Aaron Ramsey.
Manchester City are without former Gunner Samir Nasri, whilst Edin Dzeko is an injury doubt.
Star-midfielder Yaya Toure is away at the African Cup of Nations, as is new £28m striker Wilfried Bony.
Likely Line-Ups
A decision needs to be made in goal as David Ospina has impressed in the last two games having come in to replace Wojciech Szczesny but given the Colombian’s stellar performances, it would be a surprise to see out-of-form Szczesny return.
Defensive injuries cane the defence yet again, with Debuchy definitely out and Gibbs expected to miss the game. That means Calum Chambers will come in on the right-side of the defence, whilst Nacho Monreal will be the man to feature on the left.
In the centre Arsenal have their first-choice defensive partnership, Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker, which will be vital if they are to get anything in this game.
After impressing in recent fixtures, Francis Coquelin is likely to continue in a defensive role of the midfield alongside Welsh wizard Aaron Ramsey, who could come straight back into the side after being sidelined for some time.
Arsenal’s attacking trio will also be bolstered with Mesut Ozil, who should start in the centre of an attacking trio with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the right and star-man Alexis Sanchez on the left.
Up-top will be Olivier Giroud, spearheading a strong attack which Arsenal have waited months to fit together- as injuries have hampered the development of the attacking quadruple.
Arsenal XI:Â Ospina, Chambers, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Monreal, Coquelin, Ramsey, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ozil, Sanchez, Giroud
Manchester City will start with England number one Joe Hart in goal, a player who’s credentials have declined in the past 12 months due to mistakes and the emergence of David De Gea, Fraser Forster and Thibaut Coourtois.
The defence in front of the England international will consist of former Arsenal man Gael Clichy, captain Vincent Company, Eliaquim Mangala and Pablo Zabaleta- with the latter having a big test up against Alexis Sanchez.
City’s formation is likely to mirror’s Arsenal’s and the deep-lying duo will be Fernandinho and Fernando, in a strong partnership in the centre.
The attacking trio looking to create Arsenal problems should be James Milner, David Silva and Jesus Navas, with Sergio Aguero making his return from injury in attack- which will be a big blow to the Gunners.
Manchester City XI:Â Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Mangala, Clichy, Fernandinho, Fernando, Navas, Silva, Milner, Aguero