Manchester City v Arsenal: match preview Arsenal (Possible, 4-2-3-1): Szczesny; Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Gibbs; Arteta, Diaby; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Cazorla, Podolski; Gervinho. Out: Fabianski (shoulder), Frimpong (knee), Rosicky (hamstring), Sagna (broken leg), Szczesny (ankle), Wilshere (ankle). Team News Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri seems certain to miss Sunday's Premier League encounter with former club Arsenal. Nasri limped out of the Champions League defeat to Real Madrid on Tuesday night with a hamstring problem. City manager Roberto Mancini also confirmed that striker Sergio Agüero was fit to start, as is Mario Balotelli. Arsenal, meanwhile, will again be without first-choice goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny because of an ankle problem. Szczesny returned, after a two-match absence, to face Southampton last Saturday, but missed the midweek trip to Montpellier again and has not recovered, meaning that, with Lukasz Fabianski also out, Vito Mannone continues to deputise. Jack Wilshere and Emmanuel Frimpong both returned to training this week, but are still some way from first-team contention. Czech winger Tomas Rosicky and French defender Bacary Sagna are expected to feature within the next fortnight. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could return after sitting on the bench in France while Arsène Wenger must decide whether to stick with Abou Diarra or recall Francis Coquelin to midfield. Olivier Giroud, dropped for the 6-1 win over Southampton, but recalled for the Champions League tie, could also feature. Match Notes Something has changed at Arsenal. The miserly defence of the George Graham era has returned, as has the cut and thrust of the Thierry Henry-inspired Invincibles, with Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla giving Arsène Wenger's team the potency and rapier counter-attacking that has been missing for too long. A trip to the champions is the first big test of the new Arsenal, but with the home side struggling defensively, maybe City's long unbeaten record in home league games will finally end. Betting: Home 4-6, Away 7-2, Draw 11-4. Stat of the game: City have gone 31 Premier League games at the Etihad without loss while Arsenal are unbeaten in their last five away games. Mark Ogden's prediction: Manchester City 1 Arsenal 2.