- Arsenal vs Man City could see the Gunners welcome Nicolas Pepe back to the fold
- Pepe is among a host of players who were sidelined during Arsenal's clash against Standard Liege
- Victory over City could fire the north London side to sixth or fifth on the league standings
Arsenal could welcome back the return of Nicolas Pepe ahead of their Premier League crunch clash against Man City on Sunday, December 15, at the Emirates.
The match comes at a time Freddie Ljungberg is grappling with a major injury crisis that has left him with a depleted squad.
However, Express UK reports the Gunners could be handed a major boost in Pepe who is now in line to start against City.
The Ivorian picked a bruised knee in Arsenal's only victory in 11 matches over West Ham last Monday, inspiring his side to victory with a brilliant goal despite playing through the pain.
Meanwhile, Granit Xhaka remains sidelined, while Dani Ceballos (hamstring), Hector Bellerin (hamstring), Rob Holding (knee) and Kieran Tierney (shoulder) are all on the treatment table.
As such, Ljungberg will once again be forced to rethink his squad set up that can get a result against Man City.
Emiliano Martinez is expected to make way for Bernd Leno between the sticks in a move that could see the Arsenal interim boss ring as many as eight changes from the side that was held in Belgium.
In the absence of Bellerin, Ainsley Maitland-Niles is expected to be drawn in to provide more cover at the back.
David Luiz should also keep his place but Sokratis Papastathopoulos could make way for Calum Chambers even as Sead Kolasinac benefits from Tierney’s latest injury woe.
Joe Willock may drop out for Lucas Torreira to partner Matteo Guendouzi in central midfield while Mesut Ozil will hope to return in the No 10 role.
Arsenal players during a training session at London Colney ahead of their Premier League clash against Man City. Photo: Getty Images.
Source: Getty Images
Emile Smith Rowe will dropped in favour of Pepe while in-form Gabriel Martinelli could be drawn in place of Reiss Nelson.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will definitely be first-choice to lead the line and Alexander Lacazette may therefore have to contend with a place on the bench.
Arsenal predicted line-up:
Goalkeeper: Bernd Leno
Defenders: Maitland-Niles, Chambers, Luiz, Kolasinac
Midfielders: Guendouzi, Torreira; Pepe, Ozil
Forwards: Martinelli, Aubameyang
