Aguero returns to squad, but Kompany misses out again
Arsenal vs Manchester City
Date: 8pm, Monday 21st December 2015
Venue: Emirates Stadium, North London
Referee: Andre Marriner Assistants: J Brooks, M McDonough Fourth Official: C Pawson
Odds: Arsenal 11/8, Draw 5/2, City 2/1. See more Premier League betting.
Tickets: Sold out
TV: Sky Sports
Arsenal
Manager: Arsene Wenger
Squad (from): Cech, Ospina, Monreal, Debuchy, Koscielny, Gabriel, Mertesacker, Bellerin, Chambers, Ramsey, Flamini, Ozil, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Reine-Adelaide, Iwobi, Campbell, Sanchez, Walcott, Giroud
Injured: Cazorla, Coquelin, Arteta, Wilshere, Rosicky, Welbeck
Doubtful: Sanchez
Suspended: None
Form guide: WWDLDW
Manchester City
Manager: Manuel Pellegrini
Squad (from): Caballero, Hart, Wright, Clichy, Demichelis, Kolarov, Mangala, Otamendi, Sagna, De Bruyne, Delph, Fernandinho, Navas, Silva, Sterling, Toure, Aguero, Bony, Iheanacho
Injured: Nasri, Kompany, Zabaleta, Fernando
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Form guide: WLWLDW
Sergio Aguero is available again for the fist time since picking up an injury against Southampton at the end of November, but Vincent Kompany misses out once more. Also on the injured list are Fernando, Pablo Zabaleta and Samir Nasri.
City and Arsenal are the two favourites to win the league, but manager Manuel Pellegrini was keen to play down the significance of this clash.
“It’s not a decisive game as after this we have to play 21 games more. It’s important to try to be the best team from the first round, to play against a team with one point more. It’s a game of six points, to win three and to take three off a rival.
“We must consider Leicester – they are still top of the table. United are just a few points behind us. Tottenham can be involved, so can Liverpool and Crystal Palace. It’s impossible just to think there are two teams involved in the title.
“We have to play five of the next six away. It’s a good target to return to clean sheets and to advance in positions. Playing away is always a bit more difficult."
City's last away game at The Emirates ended in 2-2 draw, with goals from Sergio Aguero and Martin Demichelis. Overall City have won 36 of the 156 games played against Arsenal, with 38 draws and 82 defeats.
Prediction: Arsenal 2 City 1