The Argentine forward made his return to first-team action last weekend after a month out with a knee injury, but after suffering no reaction after his 23-minute appearance against Everton, he should replace Stevan Jovetic in attack.

City boss Manuel Pellegrini has confirmed that captain Vincent Kompany has also been passed fit to feature, but midfielder Samir Nasri has been ruled out for up to a month with a calf problem.

The Premier League champions haven't kept a clean sheet for five games, but after continuing their fine form over the Christmas period, their unbeaten record now stands at 14 matches in all competitions.

Arsenal have been hit with a double injury blow in midweek after it was revealed that both Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Debuchy face lengthy spells on the sidelines.

Arteta will be absent until the end of February after ankle surgery, while Debuchy, who was needlessly pushed onto the concrete behind the goal by Stoke City's Marko Arnautovic last weekend, won't return until April after dislocating his shoulder.

Striker Danny Welbeck is also sidelined, while manager Arsene Wenger has decisions to make regarding who should start in goal out of Wojciech Szczesny and David Ospina, and whether to select the experienced Mathieu Flamini over Francis Coquelin.

The Gunners go into the match having failed to score in just one of their last 18 games in all competitions.

Manchester City:

Form in Premier League: WWWDWD
Form in all competitions: WWDWWD

Possible starting lineup: Hart; Zabaleta, Demichelis, Kompany, Clichy; Fernando, Fernandinho; Navas, Silva, Nasri; Aguero

Arsenal:

Form in Premier League: WDWWLW
Form in all competitions: DWWLWW

Possible starting lineup: Ospina; Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Flamini, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Rosicky, Cazorla, Sanchez; Giroud

Sports Mole says: 3-1